1737  '747 


DIARY 


OF 


REV.  DANIEL  WADSWORTH 

SEVENTH   PASTOR 


OF    THE 


first  Cburcb  of  Cbrtet  in  Ibartforb 

\ 

WITH   NOTES 

BY  THE  FOURTEENTH  PASTOR 


HARTFORD,  CONN. 

Press  of  The  Case,  Lockwood  &  Brainard  Company 
1894 


THK  I  IJ1RART 

''  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANKELKB 


PREFATORY    NOTE. 


IN  the  exhumation  and  rearrangement  of  the  possessions  of  the 
Connecticut  Historical  Society  incident  to  the  enlargement  of 
the  Wadsworth  Atheneum  in  1892  was  brought  to  notice  a  Diary 
kept  by  Rev.  Daniel  Wadsworth  during  the  larger  part  of  his  min- 
istry as  seventh  pastor  of  the  First  Church  of  Christ  in  Hartford. 
Mr.  Wadsworth  sustained  this  relationship  from  September  28, 
1732,  to  his  death  on  November  12,  1747.  His  Diary,  however, 
was  only  begun  on  the  5th  of  May,  1737  —  nearly  five  years  after 
his  settlement — and  it  ends  with  his  last  feeble  entry  sometime  in 
February,  1747,  nine  months  before  he  died. 

The  Diary  is  essentially  a  dry,  prosaic,  and  commonplace  one. 
The  writer  of  it  was  all  his  life  a  valetudinarian,  and  apparently  at 
no  time  a  man  of  keenness  of  observation  or  pungency  of  expression. 
He  was  a  timid,  cautious,  sincere-hearted  pastor,  distinctly  evangelic 
in  spirit  and  inspired  by  a  conscientious  if  not  strenuous  desire  to  do  a 
good  part  in  his  time.  His  time,  however,  was  rather  a  dull  one  in  his 
church's  history  save  for  two  features,  one  of  lesser  and  one  of  far 
larger  concern.  The  matter  of  lesser  importance  was  the  building 
of  a  new  church  edifice,  the  second  one  in  the  church's  history,  to 
take  the  place  of  the  old  one  erected  by  the  first  fathers  on  this 
soil.  The  other  was  the  episode  in  religious  affairs  marked  by  the 
preachings  of  George  Whitefield  and  his  followers  and  known  as 
the  time  of  the  "  Great  Awakening."  In  his  relation  to  this  pass- 
age of  our  New  England  story  Mr.  Wadsworth  —  and  with  him  the 
great  body  of  his  church  —  took  a  conservative  attitude. 

And  for  readers  outside  of  Hartford  associations  it  is  doubtless 
this  feature  of  the  present  Diary  which  will  lend  it  most  interest. 
The  observations  made  by  its  writer  upon  this  most  memorable 
portion  of  the  history  of  his  time  are  indeed  painfully  lacking  in 
the  racy  and  picturesque  qualities  we  might  naturally  look  for;  but 
they  avail,  nevertheless,  to  show  clearly  the  perplexities  and  strug- 
gles of  a  class  of  devout  and  sincere  Christian  ministers,  of  whom 
Mr.  Wadsworth  was  only  one  among  many,  who  were  not  able  to 
sympathize  with  the  new  measures  introduced  by  the  Great  Awak- 


2012476 


4  PREFATORY   NOTE. 

ening,  and  respecting  whom,  for  that  reason,  some  of  their  contem- 
poraries and  many  of  their  posterity  have  formed  a  perhaps  too 
severe  judgment.  These  pages  will  at  least  show  that  if  these 
more  conservative  men  and  churches  did  not  do  exactly  what 
might  have  been  wisest,  they  were  conscientious  in  what  they  did, 
and  in  the  way  they  thought  best  were  earnest  and  faithful 
workers. 

The  mortuary  records  in  this  Diary,  though  of  a  most  meager 
quality,  supply  in  some  measure  a  real  lack  in  the  written  annals 
of  the  time  in  which  Mr.  Wadsworth  exercised  his  ministry  in 
Hartford  ;  his  official  church-record,  while  minuting  most  church 
actions,  taking  no  notice  of  the  deaths  of  his  parishioners  or  of 
others  in  the  community. 

But,  such  as  these  annals  are,  it  has  seemed  to  the  present 
writer  best  to  rescue  them  from  their  century  and  a  half  of  oblivion. 
Impelled  primarily  by  a  desire  to  illuminate  as  far  as  possible  the 
history  of  that  First  Church  of  Christ  in  Hartford,  toward  which 
object  he  has  hitherto  made  sundry  endeavors,  the  editor  of  these 
Wadsworth  memorials  has  lovingly  studied  out  these  tracings  of 
the  hand  of  a  predecessor  in  the  pastoral  office,  and  endeavored  to 
bring  that  predecessor  and  the  events  among  which  he  moved  to 
some  degree  of  life  again,  so  far  as  the  very  dusty  materials  at 
command  would  allow. 

To  do  this,  however,  it  has  not  seemed  necessary  to  print 
absolutely  every  daily  entry  in  the  Diary,  nor  in  all  cases 
every  word  of  such  entries  as  are  made.  It  did  not  seem  expedient 
to  reproduce  every  instance  of  perpetually  recurring  phrases  like 
the  following:  "This  day  in  Studying,  rainy  weather,"  "This  day 
visiting,  nothing  remarkable  occurs,"  "  Laboured  under  much  in- 
disposition, little  study,"  "  Little  done,  pleasant  weather,"  "  O  y'  god 
might  help  me  in  my  duty,"  "  O  y'  my  heart  might  be  quickened 
by  divine  grace."  Expressions  of  which  these  are  examples,  con- 
stituting the  only  entry  for  a  day,  occur  very  frequently,  and  often 
for  several  days  together.  Enough  of  them  probably  are  retained 
to  satisfy  any  reader  of  the  following  pages  that  some  scores  or 
perhaps  hundreds  of  such  expressions  have  been  properly  omitted 
altogether. 

A  few  transcribed  passages  from  books  Mr.  Wadsworth  was 
reading  —  passages  not  apparently  illuminative  either  of  his  charac- 
ter or  situation,  but  probably  copied  by  him  to  fix  them  in  his 
memory  —  have  also  been  left  unreproduced  in  this  publication. 


PREFATORY   NOTE.  5 

With  these  exceptions  it  has  been  the  aim  of  this  transcript  to 
give  the  Diary  just  as  Mr.  Wadsworth  left  it;  carefully  preserving  all 
references  to  events,  places,  and  persons  mentioned,  and  retaining 
the  contractions,  spellings,  punctuations,  and  non-punctuations  of 
the  original  autograph. 

As  to  the  personal  history  of  the  author  other  than  as  it  is  in- 
dicated in  his  Diary  it  must  suffice  here  to  say : 

Rev.  Daniel  Wadsworth  was  born  in  Farmington,  November 
14,  1704.  He  was  great-grandson  of  William  Wadsworth,  an 
original  settler  in  Hartford;  a  man  prominent  in  all  public  affairs 
of  the  little  commonwealth  till  his  death  in  1676.  William's  son 
John — a  brother  of  the  Joseph  who  hid  the  charter  —  settled  in 
Farmington,  and  there  John's  son,  John,  and  his  grandson  Daniel 
were  born. 

Daniel  was  educated  at  Yale  College,  graduating  in  1726,  in  the 
same  class  with  Elnathan  Whitman,  son  of  his  Farmington  pastor,  and 
destined  to  be  his  associate  in  the  Hartford  ministry  as  pastor  of 
the  Second  Church.  Young  Wadsworth  seems  to  have  been  em- 
ployed to  some  extent  after  his  college  course  as  a  surveyor  of 
land,  memoranda  indicative  of  this  fact  remaining  in  various  forms 
among  papers  left  by  him.  He  was  employed  in  1730  on  the  survey 
of  the  contested  boundary  between  Farmington  and  Wethersfield  ; 
and  in  1730  and  1731  he  was  one  of  the  Deputies  for  Farmington 
in  the  General  Assembly. 

He  probably  secured  the  chief  part  of  his  theological  training 
—  and  if  so  doubtless  in  companionship  with  his  college-class- 
mate and  boyhood  companion  Elnathan  Whitman  —  under  the 
supervision  of  Rev.  Samuel  Whitman,  the  Farmington  pastor. 
His  ministry  in  Hartford  began  in  some  service  of  assistance 
occasioned  by  the  failing  health  of  his  predecessor,  the  venerable 
Timothy  Woodbridge,  who  died  April  30,  1732,  after  a  ministerial 
connection  with  the  First  Church  of  forty-eight  years  and  eight 
months.  His  ordination  to  the  pastorate  took  place  September 
28,  1732.  The  procedure  on  the  occasion  he  himself  inscribed  on 
the  church  record  as  follows: 

"The  Rev?  Mf  Whitman  [of  Farmington]  began  with  prayf  and 
preached  a  Sermon  from  Matt.  24.  45.,  the  Rev?  Mf  Edwards  made 
a  prayf  and  gave  ye  Charge,  the  Rev?  Mf  Colton  gave  the  Right  hand 
of  fellowship." 

Mr.  Wadsworth  followed  the  establishment  of  his  ecclesiastical 
relations  by  the  formation  of  social  ones,  marrying,  February  28, 


6  PREFATORY   NOTE. 

1734,  Abigail  Talcott,  daughter  of  Governor  Joseph  Talcott  by  the 
governor's  second  wife  Eunice  (Howell),  widow  of  Rev.  Jabez 
Wakeman. 

Mr.  Wadsworth  died  November  12,  1747,  lacking  two  days  of 
forty-three  years  of  age,  having  filled  a  pastoral  term  of  fifteen 
years  and  two  months.  He  left  a  widow  and  six  children.1  He 
was  one  of  the  trustees  of  Yale  College  from  1743  to  his  death, 
having  apparently  been  elected  in  the  place  of  Rev.  Samuel  Wood- 
bridge  of  East  Hartford.  The  numbers  admitted  to  fellowship 
with  the  church  in  his  ministry,  seventy-five  to  the  Covenant  and 
one  hundred  and  three  to  Full  Communion,  do  not  appear  to  be 
large  for  the  Great  Awakening  period,  but  the  proportion  of  one 
to  the  other  indicates  a  healthful  condition  of  the  church,  and  a 
sound  view  of  things  that  made  for  its  welfare  in  the  pastor. 

Personally  Mr.  Wadsworth  was  very  clearly  a  man  of  kind 
heart  and  strong  pastoral  and  family  affections.  He  was  nervous 
and  as  he  himself  says  "bashful."  He  seems  to  have  been 
curiously  afraid  of  accidents,  lightning,  and  fires.  Though  appar- 
ently a  dyspeptic  and  semi-hypochondriac  he  was  after  his  method 
a  laborious  and  industrious  man.  Several  hundreds  of  his  manu- 
script sermons,  written  fine  and  complete  on  little  four-by-six 
folios  of  paper,  remain  in  the  possession  of  the  Historical  Society, 
attesting  at  once  his  constancy  in  this  kind  of  activity  and  also  his 
timidity  in  apparently  on  no  occasion  speaking  without  fully  written 
notes.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  property,  leaving  an  estate 
valued  at  above  ^"4,000.  His  library  compared  favorably  with 
those  of  ministers  about  him  in  like  situations,  though  very  small 
measured  by  some  nearly  contemporary  Boston  pastors,  and  above 
all  with  those  of  Increase  and  Cotton  Mather. 

He  built  a  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  Atheneum  building 
founded  by  his  grandson,  the  ground  in  the  rear  being  his  garden. 
His  widow  survived  him  nearly  twenty-six  years,  dying  June  24, 
1773,  in  her  67th  year. 

Mr.  Wadsworth  sleeps  beside  those  who  occupied  his  pastoral 
office  before  him  in  the  old  Hartford  burying-ground. 

GEORGE  LEON   WALKER. 

HARTFORD,   1894. 


1  Abigail,  b.  January  28,  1735  ;  Eunice,  b.  August  31,  1736,  d.  July  23,  1825 ;  Elizabeth,  b. 
June  19,  1738,  d.  November  15,  1810;  Daniel,  b.  June  21,  1741,  d.  November  3,  1750;  Jeremiah,  b. 
July  12,  1743,  d.  April  30,  1784 ;  Ruth,  b.  July  i,  1746,  d.  December  27,  1750. 

Jeremiah  married  Mehitable  Russell,  and  became  father  of  Daniel,  the  founder  of  the 
Atheneum,  and  of  Catherine  and  Hannah.  With  this  Daniel,  who  died  in  1848  without  children, 
the  name  of  Wadsworth  in  the  direct  male  line  from  Rev.  Daniel  Wadsworth  became  extinct. 


A  DIARY  BEGAN  MAY  f\  1737. 

Some  years  agone  I  began  and  kept  a  Diary '  for  some  time 
but  being  unsettled  in  ye  world  and  my  business  often  calling  me 
from  home  and  out  of  Town  and  other  difficulties  occurring  I  at 
length  dropt  that,  and  then  kept  a  weekly  Journal  till  sometime 
after  my  settling  in  ye  ministry,  but  I  have  now  for  sometime 
neglected  that  also,  but  being  sensible  of  many  Conveniencies  y' 
may  accrue  from  private  memoirs  or  minutes  &°  I  now  resume 
and  purpose  to  continue  a  Diary. 

May  5.  this  day  much  indisposed  for  study  or  close  application  to 
any  business.  Entertained  thots  about  projecting  some 
scheme  for  ye  reforming  ye  young  people  of  my  parish  and  en- 
deavouring to  bring  ym  to  a  more  serious  concern  about 
religion.  I  pray  god  to  direct  me  in  it. 

—  6.     This  day  spent  in  Studying  a  Sermon.     I  find  difficult  satis- 

fying people  discoursing  about  yr  Spiritual  state;  yy  want  to 
know  yy  shall  be  sure  yy  believe,  y'  yy  Love  god,  yf  yy  are  in  ye 
right  way,  are  sincere  and  ye  like,  its  difficult  bringing  ym 
rationally  to  think  or  speak  of  these  matters 

—  7.     This  day  under  much  perplexity  as  to  w*  subject  I  should 

prepare  a  Sermon  upon  wc  is  many  times  ye  case  with  me,  but 
yn  I  would  remember  those  words  go  I  will  be  with  thy 
mouth  &c. 

—  8.     Lords  day.     this  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  psal.  78.  34-37. 

P.m.  from  i.  Joh.  3.  8.  a  very  warm  day.  baptized  3  children, 
2  persons  made  publick  confession  of  scandal,  &  owned  ye  cov- 
enant, god  grant  yl  yy  may  bring  forth  fruit  meet  for 
repentance 

—  9.     this  day  not  very  profitably  spent,  so  y*  I  may  almost  say, 

diem  perdidi.  Some  attempts  at  making  a  sermon,  made  little 
progress 


1  A  fragment  or  perhaps  the  whole  of  the  diary  to  which  Mr.  Wadsworth  here  refers,  extend- 
ing from  Nov.  15,  1728,  to  April  23,  1729,  remains.  He  was  at  this  time  pursuing  his  theological 
studies  at  his  home  in  Farmington,  and  so  far  advanced  as  once  at  least,  January  i2th,  to  preach 
for  Mr.  Whitman.  He  was  not,  however,  apparently  accounted  a  clerical  person,  as  the  last  few 
entries  of  the  diary  relate  to  his  service  on  a  jury  at  Hartford  ;  an  occupation  which  he  characterizes 
as  "  unprofitable  employment." 


8  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1737 

—  10.     this  day  spent  not  ye  most  profitably  warm,  pleasant 

growing  weather,  nature  revives,  may  grace  do  so  likewise,  as 
the  face  of  the  earth  is  renewed,  so  may  ye  face  of  ye  moral 
world. 

—  ii.     this   day   in    composing   a   sermon   studying  nothing  re- 

markable. 

—  12.     This  day  General  election  in  this  Colony         Governour, 

Deputy  Governour  and  other  officers '  all  chosen  as  in  ye  year 
past,  viz  the  same  persons.  Mr  Colton "  preached  ye  Election 
Sermon,  from  Joshua  24.  20 

—  13.     This  day  in  reading,  conversation  and  impertinence 

—  14.     this  day  as  ye  former  — 

—  15.     Lords  day    Mr.  Burr3  preached  for  me  in  ye  forenoon  from 
Joh.  17.  17.     and   Mr.  Hosmore4  in  ye  afternoon  from  Sam.  4.  3.  4. 

a  very  warm  day 

—  18.     This  day  took  a  Journey  to  Farmington  and  returned.    Very 

warm,  windy  &c. 

—  19.     this   day   spent   in   reading,  Conversation   &c.     No  great 

profit,     a  refreshing  rain  in  ye  evening. 

—  20.     Spent  in  perplexing  thots.     dies  sine  linea 

—  21.     a  plentifull,  seasonable  and  refreshing  rain  this  morning 

and  ye  night  preceeding  this  day  spent  in  composing  a 

sermon 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.  M.  from  i  Sam.  2.  30  and  P.  M. 

from  heb.  2.  6. 

—  23.     fair  pleasant  weather,     get  good  habits       day  spent  with 

little  reading,  to  little  purpose 

—  26.     in  studying,  a  rainy  day         Mr  Hall5  of  Sutton  here. 

—  27.     Studying  a  sermon,  a  rainy  day,  perplexing  thoughts. 

1  The  officers  this  year  were  Joseph  Talcott,  Governor,  Jonathan  Law,  Deputy-Governor, 
while  the  Assistants  were  Samuel  Eells,  Roger  Walcott,  James  Wadsworth,  Nathaniel  Stanley, 
Joseph  Whiting,  Ozias  Pitkin,  Timothy  Pierce,  John  Burr,  Samuel  Lynde,  Edward  Lewiss,  Wil- 
liam Pitkin,  and  Roger  Newton. 

a  Rev.  Benjamin  Colton  born  in  Longmeadow,  Mass.,  probably  in  1690;  grad.  Y.  C.  1710; 
ordained  pastor  of  the  Fourth  Church  of  Chrisrin  Hartford  (now  West  Hartford)  Feb.  24,  1713-14  ; 
died  March  i,  1759,  aged  about  69  years.  His  sermon  on  this  election  occasion  was  on  "  The  Dan- 
ger of  Apostacie"  and  was  published  at  New  London,  1738.  It  would  be  inexcusable  in  the  present 
editor  of  these  Wadsworth  memorials  not  to  acknowledge  his  great  indebtedness  for  facts  concern- 
ing Mr.  Wadsworth's  ministrial  cotemporaries  to  Professor  F.  B.  Dexter's  Biographical  Sketches 
of  the  Graduates  of  Yale  College,  a  book  of  quite  indispensable  importance  in  all  similar  enquiries. 

*  Rev.  Isaac  Burr,  born  in  Hartford  July  4,  1697,  grad.  Y.  C.  1717,  ordained  at  Worcester, 
Mass.,  Oct.  13,  1725  ;  returned  to  Connecticut  in  1745,  preached  at  Northwest  Society  in  Simsbury 
(now  Granby)  awhile,  and  died  at  Windsor  in  1751. 

4  Rev.  Stephen  Hosmer,  son  of  Dea.  Stephen  Hosmer  of  Hartford  Second  church  ;  baptized 
Aug.  i,  1679;  S^d.  H.  C.  1699,  pastor  of  the  church  in  East  Haddam,  Conn.,  from  1704  till  his 
death  in  1749. 

6  Rev.  David  Hall,  grad.  H.  C.  1724.  Died  at  Sutton,  Mass.,  May  8,  1789,  aged  84,  in  the 
sixtieth  year  of  his  ministry. 


i/37]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  9 

—  29.     Lords  day  in  ye  forenoon  I  preached  for  Mf  Whitman  '  at  ye 

New  Chh."  from  rev.  3.  i.  and  P.  M.  in  my  own  pulpit  from 
i  Job.  3.  i.  warm  weather 

—  30.     This  morning  died  John  Pratt  Junf  very  suddenly,  being 

seized  ye  morning  before  with  an  headache  giddiness  &c. 
warm  day 

—  31.     This  day  ye  general  assembly  adjourned  without  day.    John 

Pratt  buried 

June. 

June  i.     This  day  in  reading  &?     a  thunder  storm  in  the  afternoon, 
this  day  died  Elijah  Andrews 

—  2.     fair  and  cooler,  this  day  Elijah  Andrews  was  buried. 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.  M.  from  rom.  8.  28     P.  M.  i  Joh. 

2:  17  —  under  considerable  difficulty  and  indisposition. 

—  6.     Warm  weather,  ye  querulous  humour  of  some  is  unaccounta- 

ble, O  ye  times,  ye  times,  ye  badness  of  ye  times,  is  ye  burden  of 
yr  song,  and  even  of  such  as  are  not  very  remarkable  for  yr 
good  deeds  neither 

—  7.     this  day  travelled  to  Kensington  from  thence  to  Farming- 

ton,  Association  held  at  Farmington  this  day 

—  8.     This  day  a  lecture    held    at    Farmington  Mf    Marsh3 

preached  from  psal.  139.  17.  considerable  rain  this  day,  re- 
turned Home  in  safety  thro'  gods  goodness.  - 

—  12.     Lords  day.     I  am  going  to  ye  Sacrament  of  ye  Lords  supper. 

w'  are  my  preparations  for  it  am  I  anything  grown  in  grace 
since  y"  Last  Sacrament,  am  I  more  holy,  heavenly  minded  &.° 

—  15.     This  day  in  reading  &°       a  hard  thunder  Storm  in  ye  after- 

noon, y*  lightning  struck  Thomas  Burrs  house. 

—  17.     this  day  in  studying  a  Sermon,  saw  my  uncle  Thorn?4 

—  19.     Lords  day  I  preacht  from  Deut.  32. 46. 47,  per  totum  diem. — 

—  21.     This  day  I  went  to  Middletown  to  ye  general  association. 

—  20.     This  day  died  ye  widow  (Mary  if  I  mistake  not)  Sandford, 

in  ye  83  year  of  her  age,  and  Nathaniel  Potwin  an  Infant  the 
son  of  Mf  John  Potwin. 


1  Rev.  Elnathan  Whitman,  constantly  hereafter  referred  to  in  the  pages  of  this  diary,  was  born 
at  Farmington  Jan.  12,  1709.  He  grad.  Y.  C.  1726,  in  the  same  class  with  Mr.  Wadsworth,  and 
was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Second  Church  in  Hartford,  Nov.  29,  1732,  two  months  after  Mr.  Wads- 
worth's  ordination.  He  survived  both  Mr.  Wadsworth,  and  Mr.  Wadsworth's  successor,  Rev.  Ed- 
ward Dorr,  and  died  March  4,  1777,  in  his  6gth  year. 

4  Although  the  Second  Church  of  Hartford  had  now  been  in'existence  for  sixty-eeven  years  and 
its  house  of  worship  for  about  the  same  length  of  time,  it  seems  to  have  been  popularly  known  as 
the  "  New  Church,"  the  "  New  Meeting,"  as  various  entries  in  this  diary  will  plainly  indicate. 

3  Rev.  Jonathan  Marsh  of  Windsor,  grad.  H.  C.  1705,  minister  at  Windsor  from  1709  till  his 
death  Sept.  8,  1747;  trustee  Y.  C.  from  1732  to  1745.  He  preached  the  Election  Sermon  in  1721, 
and  again  in  1736.  4  Born  Jan.  6,  1679.  Died  1771. 


2 


io  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1737 

—  22.     This  day  a  lecture  preacht  at  Middletown  by  ye  Rev?  Mr 

Fisk1  of  Haddam 

—  26.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  diem  from  i  cor.  15.  34, 

under  much  indisposition 

—  28.     This  day  reading  Fullers  chh  History,  Visiting  &°  this  day 

Doctr  Morrison a  set  out  for  Boston  in  order  to  go  to  great 
Brittain 

July  begins. 

July  3.  This  day  I  preached  A.  M.  at  ye  New  church  from  Hos. 
2.  8.  9.  and  P.  M.  at  my  own  from  Heb.  12.  25.  a  thunder  storm 
and  great  rain  in  y"  time  of  ye  afternoon  exercise,  two  persons 
this  day  owned  y*  Covenant. 

—  4.     This  day  catechised  children,  went  to  Farmington  &? 

—  io.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.  M.  from  heb.   13.  16.  and  P.  M. 

from  heb.  12.  25.  Warm  day  East  side  people  here  at 
meeting. 

—  12.     .     .     .     reading  fuller  &?     parish  churches  in  England  nine 

thousand,  two  hundred   &  eighty  four,  fuller,  pag.   137.  Lib. 
.II.     .     .     . 

—  17.     Lords   day  I  preached  pr  Totum   diem  from   rev.   2.  21. 

22. 

—  19,     reading  fuller     .     .     .     books  to  be  purchased  as  soon  as 

mfy  be.  Mr.  Wadsworths3  explanation  of  y*  assemy.  cate- 
chism, his  Treatise  on  conscience,  his  guide  to  y'  doubting 

—  21.     This  day  reading  Fuller  &°.    .     .     .    a  thunder  storm  very 

hard  thunder  I  thank  god  y*  he  saved  me  and  my  family 
and  dwelling  from  harm  by  it. 

—  23.     This  day  in  Studying  &c.  warm  moist  weather, —  at  night 

heard  y*  the  Eastern  Indians  are  come  into  hadley  have  sent 
to  Mohegin  to  demand  ye  surrender  of  ye  Indians  that  were 
Concerned  in  ye  murder  of  two  of  yr  Indians  in  ye  Last  year; 
this  a  great  part  of  it  a  mistake.  ye  story  not  told  [leaf  torn\. 


1  Rev.  Phineas  Fiske,  born  at  Milford,  Mass.,  Dec.  2,  1682,  grad.  Y.  C.  1704,  ordained  at 
Haddam  Jan.,  1714,  died  October  17,  1738. 

a  Dr.  Norman  Morrison,  a  native  of  Scotland,  educated,  at  Edinburgh,  came  to  this  country 
about  1733  or  34.  A  man  of  character  and  ability.  He  "owned  the  Covenant"  at  the  First 
Church  in  Hartford,  January  18,  1736.  His  house  (Dr.  Gurdon  W.  Russell  says  in  his 
Early  Medicine  and  Early  Medical  Men  in  Connecticut)  used  to  stand  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Cheney  Building,  and  now  (1894)  stands  on  Trumbull  Street,  and  is  the  wooden  building  just  north 
of  the  Charter  Oak  Bank.  The  Doctor's  body  was  buried  in  his  garden,  and  lies  under  a  slab 
bearing  a  eulogistic  inscription,  surrounded  by  an  iron  fence,  back  of  St.  Paul's  Church  on  Market 
Street.  "  He  died  much  loved  and  lamented  the  9th  of  April  1761,  in  the  55th  year  of  his  age." 

3  Rev.  Benjamin  Wadsworth,  b.  at  Milton,  Mass.,  1669,  grad.  H.  C.  1690;  ordained  minister 
of  the  First  Church  in  Boston,  Sept.  8,  1696;  elected  president  of  Harvard  College  in  June,  1725; 
died  in  office  March  16,  1737. 


1/37]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  11 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Matt.  5.  25.  26.  at  ye  New 

church  and  P.M.  at  my  own  from  luk.  18.  i.  I  am  not  without 
discouragements 

—  25.     This  day  to  little  profit,  a  poor  account  it  seems  as  if  I  had 

to  give  of  it,  yet  when  I  consider  cant  charge  myself  with 
criminal  idleness  in  it 

—  26.     This  day    went  to  Newington   to  ye  arbitration  between 

Wethersfield  and  Farmington 

—  27.     This  day  spent  there  upon  ye  same  business.     Very  uncom- 

fortable &  disagreeable  to  be  concerned  and  perplext  in  such 
business 

—  28.     This  day  spent  partly  in  y"  same  business         came  Home 

from  thence.    Mr.  J.  Ellery  and  M".  Mary  Austin  this  day  married 

—  30.     .     .     .     this  day  died  ye  daughter  of  Samuel  Howard. 

—  31.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Joh.  8.  47  and  P.M.  from 

luk.  18.  i. —  forenoon  more  strength  and  easier  delivery  than 
at  sometimes,  afternoon  faint  and  weak.  This  was  ye  Last 
time  I  preached  in  ye  old  meeting  house ' 

August  begins 

Aug  i.  This  day  went  to  Farmington.  My  friends  well  &c.  re- 
turned from  thence,  this  day  was  Interred  ye  daughter  of 
Samuel  Howard. 

—  2.     This  day  partly  in  Study  &c.     rainy  weather     This  day  ye 

people  began  to  pull  down  ye  old  meeting  house,  took  down  ye 
pulpit,  seats  and  bell,  and  carried  ye  pulpit  into  the  State 
house 

—  3.     .     .     .     our  people  proceeded  in  taking  down  ye  old  meeting 

house. 

—  4.     .     .     .     ye  people  made  further  progress  in  pulling  down  ye 

old  meeting  house. 

—  5.     .     .     .     this  day  our  old  meeting  house  was  pulled  down  and 

Laied  level  with  ye  ground 

—  7.     Lords  day.     I  preached  from  Joh.  4.  23:  this  was  ye  first 

day  of  our  meeting  in  ye  State  House  for  publick  worship 

—  8.     This  day  ye  foundation  of  our  new=meeting  House  was  Laied 

at  ye  Lower  Corner  of  ye  burying  yard a 


1  The  old  meeting  house  stood  somewhere  near  the  southeasterly  side  of  Meeting-house  Yard, 
or  what  is  now  called  State  House  Square. 

*  The  question  of  the  location  and  building  of  a  new  meeting  house  had  been  now  for  several 
years  the  topic  of  active  and  sometimes  acrimonious  controversy  in  Mr.  Wadsworth's  Society. 
Mrs.  Abigail  Woodbridge,  widow  of  the  deceased  pastor  Timothy  Woodbridge,  had  tendered  suc- 
cessively two  lots  of  ground  for  the  purpose,  on  the  east  side  of  what  is  now  Main  Street,  not  far 
apart  and  not  far  from  where  St.  John's  Church  now  stands.  Both  these  lots  were  successively 
accepted  by  the  Society  and  successively  declined  ;  the  latter  under  such  circumstances  of  apparent 


12  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1737 

—  9.     The  workmen  proceeded   in  ye  foundation  work  of  ye  meet- 

ing house. 

—  10.     much  disordered  in   body  this  day,  little  done,  studying 

something  —  the  workmen  proceeded  in  ye  foundation  work  of 
the  meeting  House 

—  ii.     This  day  went  to  Farmington,  my  friends  well,  finished  ye 

bargain  with  Samuel  Peck. 

—  12.     .     .     .     Very  much  indisposed,   under   bodily  pain  &c  ye 

mason  goes  on  in  Laying  ye  foundation  of  ye  Meeting  house 

—  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  i  Cor.  9.  24.  per  totum  diem. 

—  19.     This  day  in  Studying,  took  a  resolution  to  read  daily  a 

chapter  at  least  in  my  study,  as  well  as  in  my  family,  not  that 
I  have  neglected  it  till  now,  but  not  bin  so  constant  in  it  as  I 
design  to  be  for  time  to  come.  .  .  . 

—  21.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  Totum  from  i  pet.  4.  7.     .     .     . 

in  the  evening  of  this  day  about  midnight  died  Goody  Wicar  a 
crazed  woman  in  the  work  house 

—  22.     This  day  I  went  to  Farmington,  Saw  my  friends  well,  this 

day  Goody  Wicar  was  buried,  and  at  evening  about  nine  of  ye 
clock  died  [blank]  Adams  a  Lame  man  in  ye  work  house. 

—  23.     This  day  was  buried  [blank]  Adams  who  died  yesterday 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  thes.  2.  12  and  P.M.  from 

Exod.  23.  2.  This  day  John  Pratt  was  taken  into  ye  church 
and  Abigail  ye  daughter  of  Thomas  Hopkins  Baptized 

—  29.     N.  B.  my  Sermons  from   my  first  preaching  in  ye  State 

House  are  numbered  beginning  then.  This  day  ye  mason 
finished  the  foundation  of  our  New=Meeting  house 

—  30.     upon  ye  weather  Cock  that  was  taken  off  of  our  old  meet- 

ing House  was  this  Date.  1638.  Whence  I  suppose  our  old 
meeting  House  stood  ninety  nine  years,  it  being  pulled  down 
in  ye  year  1737  as  I  have  before  entered.1  .  .  . 

—  31.     This  day  my  daughter  Eunice  is  one  year  old.     This  day 

spent  partly  in  reading,  partly  in  visiting,  but  too  much  in 
idleness. 


discourtesy  to  the  generous  donor  that  she  withdrew  some  time  from  worship  with  the  First  Church 
and  went  to  the  Second.  The  unpleasantness  was,  however,  smoothed  over  by  an  apologetic  vote 
by  the  Society,  and  Mrs.  WoodbrkJge  returned.  The  lot  finally  fixed  upon  was  a  compromise 
between  those  who  desired  to  accept  Mrs.  Woodbridge's  offer,  and  those  who  did  not  want  to  go 
much  further  south  than  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Central  Row  and  Main  Street.  It  is  substan- 
tially the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  First  Church. 

1  Probably  the  date  1638  indicates  the  date  of  the  reaching  of  that  stage  on  the  "  old  meeting 
house"  implied  in  the  setting  up  of  this  vane,  for  there  are  indications  that  it  was  not  finished  be- 
fore 1640 ;  the  congregation  meantime  occupying,  as  they  had  for  sometime  before,  a  designedly 
temporary  structure,  which  was  afterward  given  to  Pastor  Hooker  for  a  barn. 


WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  13 

September 

Sept.  i.  .  .  .  in  ye  afternoon  I  went  to  Mr.  Coltons  Lecture 
Mr.  Colton  preached  from  2.  Chron.  34.  3  his  doct.  y4  early  piety 
is  a  great  and  desirable  Excellency 

—  3.     ...     not  a  little  perplexed  with  one  supposing  himself 

wronged  by  ye  testimony  of  another  &  seeking  satisfaction. 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  psal.  104.  34  and  P.M.  at  ye 

New  church  from  i.  Joh.  3.  8.     .     .     . 

—  6.     .     .     .     went  to  Weathersfield.     bought  6000  2d  nails  for  Mr. 

Whitman.     Supr.  Court  began 

—  7.     .     .     .     The  Superior  court  sat  this  day.     Mr.  White1  Here. 

—  8.     under  reflections   and  reproaches  of  enemies  I  would  think 

upon  and  be  quieted  by  those  words,  i.  pet.  2.  15.  for  so  is 
ye  will  of  god,  y'  with  well  doing  ye  may  put  to  silence  ye 
ignorance  of  foolish  men. 

—  ii.     Lords  day  Mr.  Bostwick *  preached  for  me  in  ye  forenoon 

from  luk.  16.  31.  and  P.M.  I  preached  from  gen.  39.  9.  very 
warm  weather. 

—  13.     This  day  our  people  began  to  raise  our  new-meeting  House. 

Something  rainy  in  the  afternoon,  a  good  beginning  makes  a 
good  end 

—  14.     This  day  ye  people  proceeded  in  raising  ye  meeting  house. 

cloudy  weather 

—  15.     This  day  rainy  in  ye  forenoon,  in  the  afternoon  ye  people 

proceeded  in  raising  ye  meeting  House.     .     .     . 

—  16.     [Similar  entry] 

—  17.     [Similar  entry] 

—  18.     Lords  day  Mr  Rockwell3  preached  for  me  A.M.  from  i 

King.  12.  26.  27.  28.  in  the  afternoon  I  preached  from  heb.  4. 
n.  warm  day.  ye  Gov.  not  well. 

-  19.     [Like  the  i6th] 

-  20.     [Ibid.] 

—  21.     This  day  I  received  a  present  of  20'-  from  Mr  Palmer,4  may 

he  and  every  other  of  my  benefactors  be  bountifully  rewarded 
in  spiritual  gifts.  This  day  our  people  proceeded  in  raising  ye 
meeting  House. 


1  Rev.  Thomas  White  of  Bolton,  born  at  Hatfield,  Mass.,  July  10,  1701 ;  Y.  C.  1720  ;  ordained 
at  Bolton,  Oct.  26,  1725 ;  died  in  his  pastorate  there  Feb.  22,  1763. 

1  Rev.  Ephraim  Bostwick,  Y.  C.  1729,  ordained  at  Greenwich  Oct.  8,  1735  ;  dismissed  1745; 
removed  to  Stamford  where  he  died  in  February  or  March,  1755. 

8  Matthew  Rockwell,  b.  at  East  Windsor  Jan.  30,  1707-8  ;  Y.  C.  1728  ;  studied  theology  and 
medicine  ;  employed  by  churches  as  an  occasional  preacher,  but  gave  himself  principally  to  medi- 
cal practice.  He  died  in  East  Windsor  March  28,  1782. 

4  Mr.  Cotton  Palmer  of  Warwick,  R.  I.,  the  builder  of  the  new  meeting  house. 


14  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [*737 

—  22.     This  day  cool  weather.     This  day  our  people  finished  y* 

raising  our  New  meeting  House,  without  harm  to  any  one. 
Thanks  be  to  god  that  hath  preserved  them. 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  diem  from   2  Cor.  6.  2. 

Sick   persons  prayed   for  ye  Govern'.,    Jerush.   Talcot. 

Hannah  ye  daughter  of  Henry  Nicholson  baptized. 

—  27.     This  day  went  to  Farmington         Saw  my  friends  well. 

Docf.  McLean  l  a  son  born  this  night 

-  28.     .     .     .     the  Gov.  &  his  daughter  sick         hopefully  some- 

thing better,     this  day  five  year  since  my  ordination. 
—  29.     Mr.  Bolton  (as  quoted  by  Mr.  Baxter  Vol.  i.  pag.  194)  was 
wont  to  say  y4  innocency  and  independency  do  steel  ye  face 
and  help  a  minister  to  be  bold  and  faithfull. 

—  30.     This  day  in  Study,     nothing  remarkable. 

October. 
Oct.  i.     This  day  in  Study  &c.     nothing  remarkable. 

-  2.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  Joh.  3.  3.  per  totum  diem,     this 

day  Allan  the  Son  of  Mr.  Niel  Mc.Lean  was  baptized 

—  3.     This  day  pleasant  weather,    visited  ye  Lame  and  wounded  man 

—  4.     This  day  ye  Association  met  at  Mr.  Woodbridges a  East  Side, 

nothing  very  remarkable  happened. 

—  5.     This  day  a  lecture       Mr.  Whitman3  of  Farmington  preached 

from  prov.  19.  8  —  he  y'  getteth  wisdom  Loveth  his  own  soul, 
associations  appointed.  ye  first  Tuesday  in  June  next  at  Mr. 
Whites  at  Bolton,  Mr.  Steel 4  to  preach  the  next  the  Second 
Tuesday  of  October  at  Mr.  Edwardss 5  at  Windsor,  Mr.  Colton 
to  preach 


1  Doctor  Niel  McLean  was  born  in  Scotland.  He  came  first  to  Wethersfield  and  then  re- 
moved to  Hartford  where  he  was  awhile  associated  in  practice  with  Dr.  Morrison.  His  wife 
(Hannah  Caldwell)  was  received  to  full  communion  in  the  First  Church  Jan.  26,  1735,  and  died 
April  22,  1755. 

3  Rev.  Samuel  Woodbridge  of  East  Hartford  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1701  ;  ordained  in  East  Hartford 
March  30,  1705  ;  Fellow  of  Y.  C.  from  1732  to  1743 ;  died  June  9,  1746.  Mr.  Woodbridge  was  now 
in  ill  health  and  Mr.  Wadsworth's  frequently  recorded  visits  to  him,  made  at  a  time  when  the  cross- 
ing of  the  Great  River  was  a  more  serious  business  than  we  now  regard  it,  are  inter^tingly  indica- 
tive of  his  kindness  of  heart. 

3  Rev.  Samuel  Whitman  of  Farmington  (father  of  Rev.  Elnathan  Whitman  of  Hartford)  born 
at  Hull,  Mass.,  grad.  H.  C.  1696 ;  ordained  at  Farmington,  Dec.  10,  1706  ;  a  Fellow  of  Y.  C.  from 
1724  to  1746  ;  died  in  August,  1751.     An  "  Old  Light"  in  his  views. 

4  Rev.  Stephen  Steel  of  Tolland,  born  in  Hartford  1696  or  7;  grad.  Y.  C.  1718;  began  to  preach 
in  Tolland  early  in  1719,  but  the  church  was  not   then  organized,  and  his  ordination  did  not  take 
place  till  the  latter  part  of  1723.     He  resigned  his  pastorate  Dec.  21,  1758,  and  died  Dec.  4,  1759. 
He  preached  the  Election  Sermon  May  12,  1743,  and  the   usual  official  request  was  made  for  its 
publication,  but  there  is  no  evidence  that  it  was  ever  printed.     Inclined  to  the  "  New  Light "  side 
in  the  current  controversies. 

5  Rev.  Timothy  Edwards  of  East  Windsor,  son  of  Richard  Edwards  of  Hartford  and  father 
of  Rev.  Jonathan   Edwards  of  Northampton.     Mr.  Edwards  was  born  in  Hartford,  May  14,  1669  ; 
grad.  H.  C.  1691,  receiving  his  degrees  of  A.B.  and  A.M.  the  same  day  on  account  of  his  eminent 


i/37]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  15 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  at  ye  new  church  from  Exod.  23. 

2.  &  P.M.  at  my  own  meeting  from  rev.  3.  16.  pleasant  weather 

—  10.     This  day  in  secular  business,  providing  for  my  family  &c. 

—  n.     This  day  partly  in  visiting  partly  in  assisting  ye  Govern',  in 

some  particular  business 

—  12.     .     .     .     this  day  Ann   Bunce   ye  daughter  of  John  Bunce 

was  drowned  in  ye  great  River.  Coming  up  from  Weathersfield 
in  a  boat  ye  boat  sunk  ag*  the  South  meadow,  a  barn  burnt 
down  with  ye  Lightening  this  night  at  Windsor. 

—  15.     .     .     .     this  day  was  found  and  Interred  ye  body  of  Ann 

Bunce  y4  was  drowned  y*  12.  Instant 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Job  31.  14.  &  P.m.  from 

rev.  3.  16.  comfortable  weather. 

—  17.     .     .     .     find  in  ye  Magazine1  for  June  last  y*  Sir  William 

Lee  is  appointed  chief  Justice  of  y"  Kings  Bench. 

—  18.     .     .     .     necessary  that  a   preacher    have  some   constant 

design  and  y'  his  sermons  be  calculated  all  to  promote  y1,  and 
y1  his  preaching  be  not  calculated  merely  for  his  ease  or  to 
avoid  offence 

—  21.     .     .     .     yesterday  I  recd  a  letter  from  ye  chh  in  Stafford 

desiring  ye  pastor  and  a  messenger  from  this  chh.  to  sit  in 
Councel  upon  the  4th  Tuesday  of  Instant  October  at  Stafford.2 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  diem  from  psal.   73.  26. 

the  Govern',  so  far  recovered  of  his  illness  y'  he  was  this  day 
at  meeting. 

—  24.     This  day  Training     Daniel  Goodwin  chosen  Ensign  of  y" 

first  Company,  a  day  not  very  profitably  spent  by  me 

—  25.     This  day  Training  in  this  Town    .    .    .    publick  divefsions 

often  occasion  much  sin,  I  wish  it  may  not  be  ye  case  with  this. 

—  27.     .     .     .     Sent  a  letter  pp.  James  Bunce  to  my  uncle  James3 

at  New  Haven. 


proficiency;  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Rev.  Solomon  Stoddard  of  Northampton,  Nov.  6,  1694  ; 
began  almost  at  once  to  preach  to  the  new  Society  set  off  at  East  Windsor,  but  apparently  not  ordained 
as  pastor  till  1698  ;  an  eminently  influential  man,  but  a  good  deal  involved  in  Church  difficulties  in  his 
own  parish  ;  preacher  of  the  Election  Sermon  in  1732,  in  which  he  paid  an  extended  tribute  to  his  long 
time  friend  Rev.  Timothy  Woodbridge  of  the  First  Church  of  Hartford,  who  had  died  eleven  days 
before.  Mr.  Edwards  died  Jan.  27,  1758,  at  eighty-nine  years  of  age. 

1  "The  Gentleman's  Magazine,"  the  publication  of  which  began  in  1731  ;  the  reference  of 
Mr.  Wadsworth  is  to  be  found  in  Vol.  vii,  p.  371.  Johnson  and  other  eminent  writers  of  the 
eighteenth  century  contributed  to  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  the  publication  of  which  still  con- 
tinues, though  now  mainly  as  the  vehicle  of  historical  and  antiquarian  information. 

*  Stafford's  difficulties  will  be  noticed  further  on. 

8  James  Wadsworth,  born  at  Farmington,  July  6,  1^77,  Deputy,  Assistant,  Commissioner  on 
Rhode  Island  boundary,  etc.,  died  1756. 


1 6  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1737 

November  begins 
November  i.     This  day  came  from  Farmington,  the  County  Court 

sat  here. 

-  2.  The  news  letter1  from  20  to  27  of  October  Informs  that 
Edmund  Quincy  Esq  .  is  appointed  agent  for  y"  Massachusetts 
province  at  ye  Court  of  Great  Britain. 

—  3.     .     .     .     Docf.  Morison  returned  from  England. 

—  4.     this  day  saw  ye   commission  to  ye   Governo1  of  New  York 

and  his  Counsel,  Govern',  of  Rhoad  Island  and  his  assistants 
to  Inquire  into  ye  Mohegin  affair2  &°.  it  came  last  night  by 
Docf.  Morison,  who  arrived  last  friday  in  Capt.  Casy  from 
Lond" 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Matt.  5.  12.  &  P.M.  from 

Act.  2.  37.     ... 

—  10.     This  day  a  publick  thanksgiving  throughout  Connecticut 

Colony         I  preached  from  Deut  8.  10 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  psal.  112.  7.     P.M.  from 

prov.  i.  10.  baptized  Joseph  ye  son  of  Mr.  Joseph  Talcot  Jr. 
and  Sarah  ye  daughter  of  Samuel  Marshall 

—  15.     This  day  went  to  Windsor  3d  Society  to  a  Councel.     Ye 

Council  convened  and  chose  Mr.  Tim0.  Edwards  Moderator 
Mr.  Ben.  Colton  Scribe,  heard  much  talk  but  to  little  purpose 

—  16.     This  day  ye  Councel  at  Windsor  after  much  pains  with 

people  and  M  .  Woodbridge  to  bring  ym  to  an  accomodation, 
voted  to  dismiss  Mr.  Woodbridge.3  .  .  . 

—  20.     Lords  day  preached  A.M.  from   Joh.  8.  28.  P.M.  from  rom. 

3.  17.     this  day  administred  ye  Sacrament 

—  21.     This  day  about  nine  of  ye  clock  at  night  died  John  Dod  of 

ye  Cholick. 

—  22.     This  day  was  buried  John  Dod 


!  "The  Boston  News  Letter;"  the  publication  of  which  weekly  journal  began  in  1704  ;  its 
first  number  being  "  From  Monday  April  17,  to  Monday  April  24,  1704." 

2  This  was  part  of  a  long  and  involved  controversy,  reaching  over  seventy  years,  in  which  the 
claim  of  the  Mohegan  Indians  to  an  extensive  tract  of  territory  comprising  the  larger  portions  of 
the  townships  of  Colchester,  Windham,  Mansfield,  Hebron  and  some  other  towns,  were  urged  by 
themselves  and  by  the  descendants  of  John  Mason,  to  whose  ancestor  it  was  alleged  by  the  Masons 
that  the  lands  had  been  conveyed  in  trusteeship  in  the  Indians'  behalf.    The  suit  was  prosecuted  in 
successive  trials  here  and  in  England  but  was  ultimately  determined  (as  Indian  claims  generally 
are)  adversely  to  the  Indians  and  in  behalf  of  the  Colony.     In  the  process  of  the  struggle,  how- 
ever, there  was  set  out  a  tract  of  between  four  and  five  thousand  acres  which  was  to  be  secured  in 
perpetuity  to  the  Mohegans. 

3  Rev.  John  Woodbridge  of  "Windsor  of  3d  Society"  (now  Poquonock)  was  born  in  West 
Springfield,  Mass.,  December  25,  1702 ;  he  grad.  Y.  C.  1726  in  the  same  class  with  Mr.  Wadsworth; 
was  ordained  at  Poquonock  probably  in  1728  ;  dismissed  as  above  ;  removed  to  Suffield  ;  installed  at 
South  Hadley,  Mass.,  April  21,  1742  ;  continued  there  till  his  death  Sept.  10,  1783. 


1737]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  17 

—  23.     This  day  Mr.  Gorton l  ye  Baptist  minister  was  at  my  house. 

Wee  had  a  debate  upon  ye  Controversy  about  baptism,  many 
people  were  present ;  wl  Influence  and  effect  it  may  have  I 
know  not.  I  hope  and  trust  in  god  y*  my  people  will  be  pre- 
served from  the  Infection  of  error. 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Matt.  28.  19.  four 

children  baptized  this  day 

—  29.     This  day  ye  Councel  met  about  the  Mohegin  affairs 

December. 

December  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Matt.  28.  19. 
moderate  weather. 

—  7.     .     .      .      about  three  quarters  of  an  hour  after  eleven  at 

night  was  (as  I'm  told)  a  Considerable  earthquake,  but  being 
in  bed  and  asleep  I  heard  it  not. 

-  ii.     Lords  day  Mr.  Woodbridge2  of  Suffield  preached  for  me 

A.M.  from  Jer.  17.  17.  and  P.M.  from  gal.  6.  4. 

-  14     This  day     ...     a  Journey  to  Weathersfield   to  view  a 

negro  boy 3 

-  15.     .     .     .     this  night  about  twelve  oclock  Nathaniel  ye  Son  of 

Capt.  Nathaniel  Hooker4  was  born  and  ye  wife  of  Capt.  Caleb 
Williamson  died  this  night 

-  17.     This   day  was    Interred  [blank]   ye  wife  of   Capt.   Caleb 

Williamson.     .     .     . 

-  18.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  diem  from  2  cor.  5.  n. — 

this  day  M™.  Jerusha  Talcot  was  admitted  to  Communion  with 
ye  Church. 

-  19.     .     .     .     delivered  ye  Contribution  money  for  Elias  Easton 

to  John  Easton  his  brother 

-  20.     .     .     .     recd.  5  bushel  Indian  Corn  &  2  bushel  of  wheat 

from  Uncle  Thomas  by  Josiah  North.     Sister  Ruth  here 
-25.     Lords  day  I   preached  from  Jer:  6.  8.  per  totum  diem. 
Dorcas  Dod  and  Hannah  Catlin  propounded  to  be  admitted 


1  Elder  Stephen  Gorton,  b.  in  Rhode   Island  March  21,  1703-4  ;    ordained  in   New   London 
March  28,  1726  ;   an  illiterate  and  unscrupulous  man  ;  fell  into  disrepute  ;  turmoiled  and  broke  up 
his  church  in  New  London  about  1774  ;  preached  awhile  afterwards  in  Southington,  but  died  there 
in  disesteem  and  obscurity. 

2  See  note  to  Nov.  16. 

3  Apparently  Mr.  Wadsworth   did  not  buy  the  lad.     The  inventory  of  his  estate   mentions 
only  one  piece  of  this  kind  of  personal  property,  "an  old  Negro  woman  namd.  Rose,"  valued  at  40 
pounds. 

4  Capt.   Nathaniel   Hooker,   grandson  of   Rev.    Samuel    Hooker  of    Farmington,  and   great 
grandson  of  Rev.  Thomas  Hooker,  was  born  Oct.  5,  1710;  grad.  Y.  C.  1729.     He  married   Eunice, 
daughter  of  Governor  Talcott,  and  was  consequently  Mr.  Wacisworth's  brother-in-law.     He  lived 
almost  directly  opposite  from  Mr.  Wadsworth,  on  land  his  mother,  Mary,  had  inherited  from  her 
father,  Nathaniel  Stanley.     Capt.  Hooker  died  in  Hartford  Jan.  24,  1763,  in  his  53d  year. 

3 


1 8  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1738 

into  ye  chh.  and  Rachel  Goodwin,  Sarah  Spencer  &  Mary 
Farnsworth  to  own  ye  Covenant 

—  27.     This  night  Ebenr.  Welles  was  found  dead  between  Town 

and  y'west  division,     died  of  an  appo.  fit. 

January  A.  D.  1737/8. 

Jany.  i.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  diem  from  psal.  90.  12. 
.     .     .     this  day  baptized  Elizabeth  ye  daughter  of  Mr.  Ben. 
Swett  and  Margaret  ye  daughter  of  Ind.  Wobbin  ' 
-  5.     This  day  partly  in  study,  partly  in  conversing  with  persons 
desiring  spiritual  direction  and  advice 

—  8.     Lords  day   I  preached  A.M.  at  ye  N  chh.  from  Acts  2.  37 

and  p.m.  at  my  own  from  heb.  13.  9.  Laboured  under  great 
indisposition  and  difficulty  in  Speaking,  very  much  overcome 
with  a  bashfull  fear.  O  y*  god  would  strengthen  me  ag4  it, 
and  help  me  in  a  better  manner  to  discharge  my  duty. 

—  12.     .     .     .     at  night  James  Nichols  and  Mary  Wadsworth  were 

married 

—  13.     .     .     .     This  day  died  Thomas  Ensign  Sen'  in  ye  7oth  year 

of  his  age 

—  14.     .     .     .     Thomas  Ensign  Interred. 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  heb.  13.  9.  and  P.m.  from 

psal.  16.  8. 

—  16.     What  shall  I  do  to  encite  my  flock  to  a  more  serious  and 

hearty  concern  for  ye  wellfare  of  yr  Souls  % 

—  17.     This  day  in  study.     Mr  Wards"  advice  concerning  young 

people  (Ward  of  Haverill)  was,  w'ever  you  do  be  sure  to  main- 
tain shame  in  ym;  for  if  y'  become  gone  there  is  no  hope  y4 
they'll  ever  come  to  good. —  Doctr.  Preston  3  was  wont  to  say, 
y*  wn  wee  wo'ld  have  any  great  thing  to  be  accomplished,  ye 

1  Apparently  the  engagement  had  been  fulfilled  made  by  Rev.  Timothy  Woodbridge  (Mr. 
Wadsworth's  predecessor  in  the  pastorate)  entered  on  the  Church  record  Aug.  10,  1711,  when  he 
baptized  "  John  Waubin  my  Indian  servant.  I  publickly  engaged  that  I  would  take  care  that  he 
should  be  brought  up  in  the  Christian  Religion."  As  nearly  twenty-one  years  later  Mr.  Wood- 
bridge,  in  his  will  dated  April  i,  1732,  bequeathed  "  the  Improvement  of  John  Waubin  during  the 
Time  he  is  bound  to  serve  me,"  Waubin  must  have  been  a  very  small  Indian  at  his  baptism,  or 
the  indentures  must  have  been  in  some  way  renewed.  Anyway  it  is  satisfactory  to  know  that  ser- 
vice had  not  prevented  the  fulfilling  of  Mr.  Woodbridge's  promise,  and  that  Waubin  wanted  his 
child  baptized  into  the  church  of  which  his  master  had  been  the  minister. 

a  Rev.  Nathaniel  Ward  born  at  Haverhill  in  England  between  1578  and  1580;  educated  at 
Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge,  where  he  took  his  degree  A.M.  in  1603  ;  rector  of  Standon  Massey 
in  Essex;  came  to  New  England  in  1634;  pastor  some  years  at  Ipswich,  Mass.;  returned  to 
England  late  in  1646  ;  became  minister  at  Shenfield  near  his  first  charge,  where  he  died,  probably 
about  1653.  He  wrote  several  books,  the  most  famous  of  which  — "  The  Simple  Cobler  of 
Aggawam  "  —  was  published  in  1647. 

3  Rev.  John  Preston,  1587-1628,  a  celebrated  Puritan  divine.  Master  of  Emmanuel  College, 
Cambridge.  The  quotation  is  from  Mather  in  his  account  of  Rev.  John  Eliot,  Magnalia,  Book  III. 


1738]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  19 

best  policy  is  to  work  by  an  engine  which  ye  world  sees  noth- 
ing of.  Magn  pag.  175.  nil  remarkable 

—  18.     Went  to  ye  west  division  to  examine   Mp  Coltons  Son1  in 

order  to  preached  [Sic]  he  was  licensed  to  preach  occasionally 
as  a  candidate  for  ye  ministry.  .  .  .  Difficult  to  please  men. 

-22.  Lords  day  administred  ye  Sacrament  and  preached  pr.  totum 
diem  from  John  17.  5.  cloud  cool  rained  at  night 

-  23.  This  day  .  .  .  spent  partly  in  study  and  partly  in 
visiting,  twas  said  of  ye  Fam's  T:  Hooker,  that  wn  doing  his 
Masters  work  he  could  put  a  King  in  his  pocket,  and  by  him 
y*  ye  Elders  must  have  a  church  in  a  church  if  y1  would  pre- 
serve ye  peace  of  ye  church,  and  y*  ye  debating  matters  of 
difference  first  before  ye  whole  body  of  ye  church  will  doubtless 
break  any  chh  in  pieces,  and  deliver  it  up  unto  Loathsome 
Contempt3 

—  24.     Spirit,  Soul  and  body,     i  thes.  5.  23.     when  by  spirit  Some 

understand  ye  natural  temper  or  Humour.  Magnlia  Am:  Lib.  3 
pag.  33.  col.  i.  ...  under  considerable  dejection  and  dis- 
couragement, in  god  is  my  help 

—  26.     This  day      .      .     .      how  indisposed  and  Confused,     this 

day  heard  y'  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Andrews 3  of  Milford  died  on  Thurs- 
day Last. 

—  29.     Lords  day     .     .     .     John  ye  son  of  John  Shepherd  baptized 

I  find  great  trouble  and  difficulty  in  my  work  from  an  intense 
bashfullness  and  overaweing  fear.  I  pray  god  to  help  me  to 
conqr.  it. 

—  31.     ...     a  very  cold  day  concludes  ye  month.     This  day 

ye  adjd.  County  court  sat  here. 

February  begins 
Feby.  4.     This  day  recd.  a  present  from   Docf.  Colman  4  of    some 


1  Eli,  son  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Colton  of  West  Hartford,  hereafter  to  be  noticed. 

3  These  alleged  sayings  of  and  by  Mr.  Hooker  are  from  Mather's  Magnalia,  Book  III. 

3  Rev.  Samuel  Andrews,  born  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  Jan.  29,  1656  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1675  ;  ordained 
at  Milford  Nov.  18,  1685.     Mr.  Andrews  was  one  of  the  original  trustees  of   Yale  College  ;    rector 
pro  tempore  awhile  after  the  death  of  Rector  Pierson,  and  died  January  24,  1738,  age  82. 

4  Rev.  Benjamin  Colman  of  Boston,  b.   in   Boston   Oct.  19,  1673  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1692  ;  ordained 
in  London,  by  Presbytery,  Aug.  4,  1699  ;  returned  to  Boston  and  assumed  the  care  of  the  new  Brattle 
Street  Church  in  November  following.     One  of  the  leading  New  England   ministers  of   his  genera- 
tion.    He  died  Aug.  29,  1747.     He  is  referred  to  several  times  in  Mr.  Wadsworth  diary. 

The  reference  to  "proposals  for  subscriptions"  for  Dr.  Guyse's  and  Dr.  Doddridge's  books 
would  seem  to  indicate  that  they  were  intended  to  be  published  if  not  jointly  at  least  near  together. 
In  point  of  fact  the  work  of  Dr.  John  Guyse  (b.  at  Hertford,  England,  1680,  died  1761)  entitled 
Paraphrase  on  the  Neiii  Testament,  was  published  in  three  quarto  volumes  in  1739-42  :  while  the 
far  more  popular  and  useful  work  of  Philip  Doddridge  (b.  1702  ;  minister  successively  at  Kibworth, 
Market  Harborough,  and  Northampton  ;  died  Oct.,  1751)  entitled,  The  Family  Expositor,  etc., 
six  volumes  quarto,  was  not  published  till  1760-62,  after  the  author's  death. 


20  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1738 

pamphlets,  &  printed  proposals  for  subscriptions  for  printing 
Doctr.  Guyse's  and  Doct'  Doddridges  paraphrases  upon  ye  Evang. 

-  5.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     My  work  difficult,  speaking 

hard.  I  am  much  Concerned  w*.  to  do  to  revive  a  Concern 
about  religion  among  my  people.  .  .  . 

—  7.     This  day  snow.     This  day  I  paied  to  Docf.  Morison  8  pound 

in  money.  ^£7.  175.  6d  was  for  ye  10%  yards  of  black  drugget 
I  had  of  him. 

-  8.     This  day      .      .      .      spent  considerable  time  in  searching 

records  for  Farmington  affairs. 

—  9.     Books  needed  and  to  be  bought  as  soon  as  conveniently  I 

can  are  Mr.  Boltons  Instruction  for  ye  right  comforting  afflicted 
Consciences,  Dicksons  Therapeutica  Sacra,  or  method  of  heal- 
ing ye  diseases  of  ye  Conscience,  Dr  Goodwins  Child  of  Light 
walking  in  darkness,  Mr  Bridges  Sermon  on  psa.  142.  u.  Mr. 
Obad.  Sedgwicks  Doubting  believer,  Mr.  Symonds  Care  &  Cure 
of  ye  doubting  soul.  Doctr.  Owen  on  ye  130  psalm,  pleasant 
weather 

-  10.     This   day    understood    pr  Uncle  Will™  y4  a  book   of   chh 

records  &c.  kept  by  Mr  Hooker  formerly  ministr.  of  Hartford 
is  now  in  ye  Hands  of  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Whitman  of  Farmington.1 
a  snowy  day  .  .  . 

—  12.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.  73.  25.     Ben- 

jamin Dod  owned  the  Covenant.  Deacn.  Thomas  Richards 
and  Deacn.  Nath11.  Goodwin  were  chosen  messengers  by  ye  church 
to  attend  ye  ordination  at  Wintonbury.  Mr.  Isaac  Butler  and 
Sarah  his  wife,  Moses  Cadwell  and  Penelope  his  wife  and 
Agnes  ye  wife  of  Jn  .  Hubbard  had  a  dismission  from  ye  church 

—  14.     This  day  warm  weather         My  people  sledded  wood  for 

me,  bro't  about  43  Loads. 

—  15.     This  day  Mr.  Hez.  BisseP  was  ordained  at  Wintonbury. 

1  It  is  tantalizing  to  think  that  the  missing  records  of  the  First  Church  in  Hartford,  which  in 
all  probability  contained  its  Covenant  and  its  Newtown  experiences,  was  still  in  existence  in  1738, 
and  its  whereabouts  known  to  Mr.  Wadsworth.  The  story  is  not  an  improbable  one.  Pastoral 
records  were  formerly,  much  more  than  now,  regarded  as  private  memoranda  of  the  pastor.  Mr. 
Hooker's  now  invaluable  notes  of  early  events  in  the  church's  history  naturally  passed  with  his 
other  papers  into  the  hands  of  his  son,  Rev.  Samuel  Hooker,  pastor  at  Farmington  ;  from  him  the 
transition  was  easy  if  not  so  natural  to  the  hands  of  his  successor,  Rev.  Samuel  Whitman,  in  whose 
possession  it  appears  they  were  in  1738.  It  has  been  conjectured  that  in  default  of  any  special  con- 
cern about  them  on  the  part  of  the  First  Church  pastor,  they  may  have  gone  from  Rev.  Samuel 
Whitman  of  Farmington,  to  his  son  Elnathan  of  Hartford,  and  been  burned  in  the  fire  which  de- 
stroyed his  house.  But  this  is  much  of  it  conjecture,  and  the  precious  volume  may  be  still  in 
existence  somewhere. 

*  Rev.  Hezekiah  Bissell,  born  at  East  Windsor  Jan.  30,  1710-11 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1733  ;  studied 
theology  with  his  pastor,  Rev.  Timothy  Edwards,  ordained  in  a  new  parish  called  Wintonbury,  (now 
Bloomfield),  set  off  in  southwestern  part  of  Windsor,  Feb.  15,  1738 ;  continued  pastor,  though  for 
the  later  years  in  a  paralytic  state,  till  his  death  Jan.  28,  1783. 


1738]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  21 

Mr.  Marsh   preached  from  2  cor.  3.  6.     Mr.  S.  Whitman  gave 
ye  charge  and  Mr.  Colton  ye  right  hand  of  fellowship. 

-  17.     .     .     .     observable  y*  almost  every  newspaper  of  late  gives 

an  ac".  of  damage  done  by  fires     houses  burnt  or  in  great  dan- 
ger of  it,  with  difficulty  prevented 

-  19.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Mary  Butler,  Sarah  Butjer 

and  Sarah  Hopkins  owned  ye  Covenant 

—  22.     .     .     .     Mr.  Barber1  of  Mohegin  came  to  my  house  at  night 
-23.     .     .     .     now  paied  Capt.  Hooker  bushel  &  half  wheat  y*  I 

had  borrowed 

—  26.     Lords  day  Mr.  Cleveland  3  of  Charlestown  preached  for  me 

A.M.  from  psal  23.  i.  and  P.M.  from  Haggai  i.  5. 

—  28.     Came  from  Farmington  in  safety.     Laus  Deo.     This  day 

four  years  since  my  Marriage,  thanks  be  to  him  y'  has  pre- 
served me  and  those  that  he  has  graciously  given  me. 

March  begins  1737/8 

March  i.     This  day  heard  that  Queen  Caroline  was  dead,  and  y'  yr 
Spaniards  have  taken  three  East  India  ships. 

—  2.     This  day  spent  to  little  advantage,  save  some  entertaining 

conversation.     Mr.  Hunn3  here  this  day. 

—  3.     This  day  recd.  a  letter  from  M  Bull 4  of  Westfield  with  a  copy 

of  y*  letter  that  ye  K.  sent  to  ye  Prince  of  Wales  forbidding 
him  ye  palace. 

-  ii.     Last  night  it    began    to  snow  and  continued  snowing  ye 

greater  part  of  this  day,  a  deeper  snow  than  any  wee  have  had 
in  y«  winter  past. 


1  Rev.   Jonathan    Barber,  born    at   West    Springfield,    Jan.    31,   1712-13 ;   grad.   Y.   C.   1730 ; 
licensed  to  preach  by  Hampshire  Co.  Association  in  1732  ;  preached  to  the  Indians  in  the  Mohegan 
country  north  of  New  London  awhile  ;  then  gathered  a  congregation   in  a  part  of  Southold,  L.  I., 
called  Oyster    Ponds.     About  1740,  inflamed  with  the  reports  of  Whitefield's  evangelistic  labors, 
and  kindled  by  contact  with  Rev.  James  Davenport,  he  set  out  on  a  revivalistic  tour  of  Long  Island. 
Meeting  Whitefield  on  his  first  arrival  in  New  England  Mr.  Whitefield  was  so  much  pleased  with 
him  that   he  offered   him  the  superintendency   of  his   Orphan   House   in   Georgia.      Mr.    Barber 
remained  in  Georgia  about  seven  years,  but  returning  to  Oyster  Ponds   he  was  ordained   Nov.  9, 
1757.     His  work  there  was  short,  however,  for  on  Nov.  3,  1758,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Groton,  where  he  died  October  8,  1783. 

2  Rev.  Aaron  Cleveland,  b.  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  Oct.  29,  1715  ;  grad.  H.   C.  1735  ;  settled  at 
Haddam,  Conn.,  July,  1739  ;  dismissed  1746;  took  Orders  in  the  Church  of  England  at   London  in 
I755  !  commissioned  by  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts ;  died  at  the  house 
of  Dr.  Franklin  in  Philadelphia  Aug.  n,  1757. 

3  Rev.  Nathaniel  Hunn,  born  at  Wethersfield  Sept.  10,  1708  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1731  ;  ordained  at 
Reading.  March  21,  1733  ;  died  on  a  visit  to  Boston  in   August  or  September,  1749.     He  preached 
the  Election  Sermon  May  14,  1747.     His  sermon  referred  to  the  success  at  Cape  Breton  and  to  the 
disastrous  effects  of  a  paper  currency. 

4  Rev.  Nehemiah  Bull,  born  in  Farmington  or  Hartford  in    1701  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1723,  ordained 
at  Westfield,  Oct.  26,  1726 ;  died  in  his  pastorate  April  12,  1740. 


22  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1738 

-  12.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  i  Job.  3.  14.  &  P.M.  from 

luk  9.  59.     Cool  weather 

—  15.  Moist  weather  ;  Sundry  Houses  lately  burnt  as  ye  News 
letters  tell  us,  a  year  very  remarkable  on  y1  ace"  this  day  yf 
Super'.  Court  adjourned 

-19.  Lords  day  I  preached  .  .  .  this  night  recd.  some  further 
confirmation  of  ye  Queens  death.  Said  to  be  on  ye  2oth  of  Novem- 
ber Last,  this  night  met  with  a  news  letter  yl  gives  an  ace", 
of  several  Houses  burnt,  in  one  of  ym  ye  owner  and  four  of 
his  children  were  consumed  by  yc  flames.  Save  me  O  Lord  and 
mine  from  such  dessolation,  I  beseech  thee  for  thy  mercies  sake. 

-  20.     This   day   recd   another    news    letter   giving   an   ace",    of 

houses  burnt  by  fire.  .  .  .  in  ye  afternoon  I  heard  a  noise 
in  ye  southeast,  like  the  report  of  great  Gunns,  often  repeated, 
and  continued  till  sometime  in  y'  night 

-  23.     This  day  finished  reading  Docf.  Hows  lect.  upon  Consid- 

eration, and  his  2  vol.  on  Matt.  5.  an  excellent  writer.1  In- 
flamed with  piety  and  devotion.  At  night  I  married  Nath". 
Egglestone  to  Abigail  Goodwin 

-  26.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum     ...     &  baptized  2 

children  viz.  Marion  daughter  to  Mr.  Normand  Morison  & 
Abigail  daughter  to  Mr.  Sam".  Flagg. 

—  28.     This  day  pleasant,  business  now  done         uneasy  tempers 

difficultly  Quelled  or  Satisfied. 

—  30.     This  day  Cosen  James  Wadsworth  of  Durham  here.    Joseph 

Skinner  Junr.  married  at  night 

—  31.     This  day     .     .     .     my  Sister  Betty  rode  from  Farmington 

hither,  she  has  not  bin  able  to  ride  so  far  for  some  years  before 

April  begins 

April  2.  Lords  day  I  preached  .  .  .  and  administred  ye  Sac- 
ram*,  and  M".  Helena  Talcott  was  taken  into  the  church. 

-  5.     Govern'  Clarks*  letter  this  day  came  to  y"  Govern'. 

-  6.     Mr.  Bull  of  Westfield  at  my  house 

—  7.     Visited  Jno.  Bunce,  very  sick 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     how  difficult  my  work,  but 

how  good  ye  Master  I  serve,  y*  blessed  Jesus. 

—  10.     Laboured  under  bodily  indisposition.     This  day  died  John 

Bunce. 

—  ii.     Ye  County  Court  sits  here  to-day,     a  Vendue  of  one  of  ye 

western  Townships.     .     .     . 

1  Rev.  John  Howe,  the  celebrated  Non-Conformist  divine  (1630-1705),  minister  in  Great  Tor- 
rington  and  London,  and  some  time  domestic  chaplain  to  Oliver  Cromwell. 

2  Lt. -Governor  George  Clarke  of  New  York. 


1738]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  23 

—  15     This  day  heard  y*  Coin1.  Edmund  Quincy  ag'  for  ye  Province 

of  the  Mass  :  at  ye  Court  of  Great  Britt :  died  in  London,  3'' 
day  of  March  Last,  and  the  news  of  the  Queens  death  is  now 
fully  confirmed 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  Isai.  9.  6.  pr.  totum  diem.  Cool 

weathr. 

-  18.     This  day  heard  y*  on  ye  i8th  Instant  the  house  of  John  Bar- 

nett  of  Wintonbury  and  all  his  household  goods,  was  burnt. 

—  19.     This  day  a  day  of  publick  fasting  and  prayer  throughout 

Connecticutt:  I  preached  A.M.  from  Isai.  58.  6.  both  congre- 
gations met  in  ye  South  meeting  house  P.M.  Mr.  Whitman 
preached  from  Dan:  4.  27.  ... 

-  21.     .     .     .     this  day  Tracy  and  Mason  were  in  Town,     left  a 

Copy  of  ye  Commission  of  Inquiry  &c.  with  ye  Govern11. 

-  23.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  Isai.  9.  6.     .     .     . 

Ashbel  ye  son  of  Michael  Burnham  was  baptized 

—  25.     This  day  Mr.  Hunn  came  hither  and  wee  set  out  for  boston 

and  went  as  far  as  Lads. 

—  26.     this  day  in  travelling,  went  as  far  as  Worcester,     thro'  the 

good  hand  of  god  upon  us  no  evil  happened  to  us 

—  27.     this  day  wee  arrived  at  boston  safe,  our  friends  well 

—  28.     This  day  spent  in  boston,  little  business 

—  30.  Lords  day.  A.M.  I  went  to  Mr.  Foxcrofts  meeting.1  Mr. 
Foxcroft  preached  from  i  thes.  4.  14.  &  P.M.  to  Mr.  Hoopers 
meeting.2  Mr.  Hooper  preached  from  Act.  26.  9 

May  begins 
May  3.     This  day  set  out  from  boston  home         came  to  Worcester 

—  4.     This  day  came  to  Springfield 

-  5.     This  day  came  Home,  and  I  thank  god  for  his  kind  provi- 

dence in  preserving  me,  and  returning  me  in  safety  and  y' 
thro'  his  goodness  I  find  so  much  health  in  my  family 

-  7.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  at  the  new  chh  from  luk  12.  15 

and  P.M.  at  my  own  from  Isai.  9.  6.  baptized  Catherine  ye 
daughter  of  Aaron  Cadwell.  at  noon  heard  y4  my  uncle  James 
was  very  sick 


1  Rev.  Thomas   Foxcroft,  b.  1696;  grad.  H.  C.  1714;  ordained  pastor  First  Church,  Boston, 
Nov.  20,  1717  ;  a  zealous  promoter  of  the  Great  Awakening;  author  of  many  published  pamphlets 
and  discourses;  died  June  18,  1769. 

2  Rev.  William   Hooper,  pastor  (from   May  18,  1737)  of  the  West  Church  in  Boston,  a  new 
organization  formed   the  year  previous  to  Mr.   Wadsworth's  visit.     After  nine  years' service  Mr. 
Hooper  went  to  England  and  was  ordained  an  Episcopal   minister  and  returning  to  Boston  became 
(Aug.  28,  1747)  rector  of  Trinity  Church. 


24  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1738 

—  8.     This  day  went  to  Durham  to  see  my  good  uncle,  found  him 

sick,  but  not  so  bad  as  my  fears. 

-  10.     This  day  (as  I  hear)  ye  Commission".  Court  is  to  be  opened 

at  Horse  Neck 

-  ii.     This  day  Election         Govern'.  &  Dep.  Govern',  as    in  ye 

year  past. 

-  14.     Lords  day  Mr.  Burr  preached  for  me     .     .     . 

-  15     This  day  ye  Govern',  and  Company  cited  to  appear  before 

ye  Commissioners  Court'  on  ye  24  Instant,  at  Norwich  pr.  Jos: 
Tracy,  ye  citation  read  only  in  ye  upper  house 

-  1 6.     Capt.  Bulkley  &  M'.  Raymond  cited  to  ye  Commissioners 

Court  this  day  by  Joseph  Tracy  Junr.  .  .  .  the  Gen"  assem- 
bly appointed  Gentlemen  to  meet  &  wait  upon  ye  Commission- 
ers from  N:  York  and  Rhoad  Island. —  a  post  this  day  sent  to 
Boston  &  another  to  Rhoad  Island 

-  18.     Agents    this    day    appointed    by   ye   Gen.    ass.    for    the 

Governm*.  Dep:  Gov.  Majr.  Wolcot,  Capt.  Bulkley. 

—  19.     Mr.  White  of  East  Hampton  here.     Dan11.  Goodwin  ye  post 

to  Rhoad  Island  returned         agents  added  Fitch  &  Fowler. 

-  20.     This  day  credibly  Informed  concerning  an  extraordinary 

child  (I  had  sometime  before  heard  off)  one  Turner  at  New 
Haven,  that  at  18  months  old  wc.  was  on  ye  2d  day  of  Instant 
May,  weighed  46^  pounds  and  as  to  bigness,  speech,  strength 
and  behaviour  equals  a  child  of  five  or  six  years  old. 

—  21.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  prov.  IT.  n.  per  totum,  pleasant 

weather 

-  22.     Mr.  Nott2  of  Saybrook  here 

—  24.     This  day  ye  Commissioners  Court  was  to  sit  at  Norwich, 

may  Connecticutt  be  saved  from  destroyers 

-  25.     This  day  died    my  dear  Mother  Madam  Eunice  Talcot3 


1  This  was  a  hearing  in  the  long  drawn-out  Mohegan   case.     See  ante,  p.  16  note.     The 
Commissioners  were  the  Lieut. -Governor  and  Council  of  New  York,  and  the  Governor  and  Assist- 
ants of   Rhode  Island.     The  Commissioners  disagreed  as  to  mode  of  procedure,  and  those  of  New 
York  entered  a  protest  and  withdrew  ;  those  of  Rhode  Island,  left  alone,  reversed  a  decision  which 
had  been  made  in  the  Mason's  and  the  Indians'  favor  in   1705,  and  gave  judgment  in  favor  of  the 
Connecticut  Colony  ;  a  conclusion   which,  it  will  be  observed,  a  few  entries  later  in  the  diary,  Mr. 
Wadsworth  thought  a  salvation  from  "  men  of  violence  "  ;  an  opinion  the  correctness  of  which  it 
is  quite  possible  to  differ  about. 

2  Rev.  Abraham   Nott,   born  at  Wethersfield,  Jan.  29,   1696-97  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1720 ;  ordained 
pastor  of  the  church  in   connection   with  the  Second   Ecclesiastical   Society  in   Saybrook  Nov.  16, 
1725 ;  continued  in  that  relation  till  his  death  January  24,  1756. 

8  Mrs.  Eunice  Talcott  was  Governor  Talcott's  second  wife,  the  daughter  of  Matthew  Hovvell 
of  Southampton,  L.  I.,  and  the  widow  of  Rev.  Jabez  Wakeman  of  Newark,  New  Jersey.  Her  death 
occurred  while  the  General  Assembly  was  in  session  and  public  business  was  pressing.  The  Lieti- 
tenant-Governor  was  absent  at  the  Commissioners'  Court  in  Norwich;  so  not  to  delay  concerns  of 
wider  interest  the  Governor  returned  to  the  State  House  and  presided  in  the  session  of  the  Upper 


1738]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  25 

Consort  to  ye  Honble  Joseph  Talcot  Esqr.  about  12  o'clock  in 
y*  forenoon.  She  was  seized  about  n  o'clock  with  (as 
supposed  an  Epileptick)  fit,  sitting  in  her  chair  in  usual  health: 
Teach  me  O  God  to  number  my  days  aright 

—  27.     This  day  in  ye  afternoon  Madm  Eunice  Talcot  was  Interred. 

Bearers  were  Majr.  Elles,  Capt.  Standly,  Capt.  Whiting,  Capt. 
Oz.  Pitkin,  Majr.  Pierce  &  Majr.  Burr,  the  coffin  covered 
with  black  cloath,  and  four  escutcheons  fixed  upon  it ;  there 
was  a  vast  Concourse  of  people,  it  was  ye  Largest  funeral  that 
ever  I  saw  in  Connecticut. 

—  28.     Lords  day  Mr.  Whitman  preached  for  me  pr.  totum.     Mr. 

Hunn  preached  for  Mr.  Whitman 

—  29.     This  day  I  went  to  Farmington.     my  friends  well,  returned 

safe  thro'  ye  good  hand  of  my  god  upon  me. —  this  day  Mr. 
Palmer  began  to  work  upon  ye  Steeple  of  our  meeting  house 

June  begins. 

June  2.     This  day  in  study     .     .     .     Sister  Jerusha  returned  from 
Boston 

—  4.     Lords  day.     I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Eccles.  12.  5.     East 

side  people  here. 

—  6.     This  day  heard  that  ye  Commissioners  Court  at  Norwich  did 

yesterday  after  Long  hearing  &°  reverse  Dudleys  Judgement 
in  ye  whole  of  it,  and  after  that  dissolved  the  Court.  Thanks 
be  to  god  that  has  protected  us  from  men  of  Violence. 

—  7.     This  day  went  to  Bolton  to  the  assoc".  Mr  Steel  preached 

from  i  cor.  4.  15. J 

—  8.     This  day  M1  RusseP  of  Middletown  and  Mr.  Woodbridge3 

of  Glastonbury  here 


House  in  the  afternoon.  "  A  joint  committee  was  appointed  by  both  Houses  to  confer  on  what 
might  be  proper  to  offer  to  his  Honor  on  the  sudden  and  sorrowful  event,  and  the  Lower  House  also 
appointed  Mr.  Speaker,  the  Clerk,  and  Capt.  Samuel  Willard,  to  draw  an  address  of  condolence," 
which  with  the  Governor's  reply  is  printed  in  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society 's  Collections, 
3d  series,  i,  246,  and  also  in  Palfrey's  History  of  New  England,  Vol.  iv,  583,  584. 

1  At  the  Association  it  was  voted  that    Rev.    Mr.   Whitman  of  Farmington  and  the  Rev. 
Jonathan  Marsh  of  Windsor  and  all  the  ministers  of  Hartford  be  a  standing  committee  to  examine 
all  candidates  for  the  ministry  "within  our  Circuit." 

2  Rev.  William  Russell  born  at  Middletown   Nov.  20,  1690;  grad.  Y.  C.  1709  ;  ordained  suc- 
cessor to  his  father,  Rev.  Noadiah  Russell,  in  the  pastorate  at  Middletown,  June  i,  1715  ;  Fellow  of 
Y.  C.  1745  till  his  death,  June  i,  1761,  on  the  anniversary  of  his  ordination,  after  a  ministry  of  forty- 
six  years.     He  preached  the  Election  Sermon  in  May  14,  1730. 

3  Rev.  Ashbel  Woodbridge,  son  of  Rev.  Timothy  Woodbridge  of  the  First   Church  of   Hart- 
ford, born  June,  1704 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1724  ;   ordained  at  Glastonbury,  Oct.  23,  1728  ;  Fellow  of  Y.  C. 
1755  till  his  death  in  the  Glastonbury  pastorate  Aug.  6,  1758.     He  preached  the  Election  Sermon  in 
May,  1752. 


26  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1738 

—  9.     This  day  in  Study,  drew  Madam  T's  ch.  &  a  copy  of  the  H. 

of  R's.  address  to  send  to  ye  Printer.1 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum     .     .     .     this  night  John 

Shepherd  came  to  discourse  me  about  being  admitted  to  com- 
munion with  ye  chh. 

—  12.     This  day  catechised  children,  made  some  visits  among  ye 

sick,  cloudy  weather 

—  1 6.     This  day  Brother  Matthew  Talcott  returned  from  Sea,  well 

in  health,  thanks  be  to  God  who  hath  preserved  him 

—  17.     This  day  died  Mre.  Susanna  Hosmer  alias  Bunce,  wife  to 

Mr.  Stephen  Hosmer. 

-  1 8.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     this  day  was  Interred  M™ 
Susanna  Hosmore 

—  19.     This   day  about   day  light   my  wife  was   delivered  of  a 

daughter  Thanks  be  to  god  that  there  is  a  living  mother 
and  child,  this  day  I  catechised  children  at  Lieut.  Jon.  Cooks 

—  20.     The  County  Court  began  here.     Mr  Bull  of  Westfield  here 

at  night. 

—  21.     This  day  went   to  Windsor,  returned   &c.  found  Mr.  Jos. 

Moody "  of  York  here,  a  man  of  piety  and  edifying  conversa- 
tion tho'  too  talkative.  This  day  fast  at  Weathersfield  in 
order  to  seek  one  to  help  in  ye  ministry 

—  24.     This  day  in  Study,  very  warm,  ye  Sabbath  approaches  O  y* 

god  would  assist  me  in  preparing  for  it.     This  day 

bought  me  a  horse 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum      .      .      .      Mr.  Whitman 

being  absent  his  people  were  at  our  meeting.  .  .  .  Laboured 
under  great  indisposition  and  difficulty  in  speaking. 

—  27.     John  Shepherd  here  at  night,     appointed  ye  2d  Sabbath  in 

July  for  his  admission  to  ye  chh.  I  pray  God  to  direct  and 
assist  him  in  preparing  for  it. 


1  A  draught  of  the  "character"  (or  as  we  should  say  the  biographic  notice)  of  Mrs.  Talcott, 
prepared  by  Mr.  Wadsworth  for  "  the  Printer,"  remains  among  Mr.  Wadsworth's  papers ;  a  kind 
but  formal  tribute ;  lacking  the  really  touching  feeling  which  belonged  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives address,  which  he  copied  to  accompany  it.  Mr.  Wadsworth  was  essentially  a  kind 
though  formal  man  ;  and  he  may  have  felt  that  the  relationship  involved  laid  him  under  special 
necessity  of  restraint. 

8  Rev.  Joseph  Moody  the  more  eccentric  son  of  an  eccentric  father,  Rev.  Samuel  Moody  of 
York,  Me.  Joseph,  the  son,  was  born  in  1700  ;  grad.  at  H.  C.  1718  ;  at  first  a  Town  Clerk,  Register 
of  Deeds,  and  Judge  of  Probate,  in  which  functions  he  did  well,  but  was  overpersuaded  by  his 
father  to  become  a  minister.  He  was  a  considerable  part  of  his  life  a  hypochondriac,  and  in  extended 
periods  wore  a  handkerchief  over  his  face,  at  which  time  he  would  turn  his  back  toward  his  con- 
gregation, and  lift  the  handkerchief  so  far  as  to  read  his  sermon  with  his  face  to  the  wall.  He  was 
widely  known  from  this  habit  as  "  Handkerchief  Moody."  He  was  a  good  man;  is  said  to  have 
been  marvelously  gifted  in  prayer  ;  he  spent  the  latter  years  of  his  life  in  the  seclusion  of  a  voluntary 
retirement  from  society,  and  died  in  1753. 


1738]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  27 

—  30.     .     .     .     heard  Dan11  Colliers  vessel  sprung  a  leak  at  sea, 

put  in  at  Boston  in  distress 

July  begins. 

July  i.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Matt.  9.  2.  .  .  . 
pleasant  weather.  Laboured  under  considerable  indisposition 
and  weakness 

—  5.     Visited  a  sick  man,  prayed  with  him.     I  pray  god  to  heal 

and  savingly  to  convert  him 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  diem  from  Deut.  6.  i  r.    .    .    . 

Moses    Cook    sick    prayed    for.       I    Laboured    under    great 
difficulty     .     .     . 

—  10.     This  day  Catechised  children  at  Jon:  Butlers,  Visited  &c. 

-took  care  of  secular  affairs  &°. 

—  15.     .     .     .     visited  ye  sick  children  of  Jos:  Shepherd 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     John  Shepherd  and  Daniel 

Catlin  were  recd  into  the  church.     Laboured  under  great  diffi- 
culty in  speaking. 

—  19.     This  day  wrot  a  letter  to  Doctr.  Doddridge  at  Northampton 

in  England  and  another  to  go  to  Long  Buckby. 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  at  ye  N  chh  from  heb.  13.  9.  & 

P.M.  at  my  own  meeting  from  rom.  6.  12.     .     .     . 

—  25.     This  day  about  7  oclock  in  afternoon  died  Moses  Cook  in 

ye  [blank]  year  of  his  age. 

—  26.     This  day  was  Interred  Moses  Cook. 

—  27.     Went  to  Windsor  on  a  visit  to  Mr.  Marsh  &c. 

—  28.     This  day  in  Study,     little  remarkable         a  prospect  of  a 

war  between  England  and  Spain. 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  diem      .      .      .      Laboured 

Elisha  Pratt  and  wife,  Abijah  Catlin  and  Hannah  ye 
wife  of  Eleazer  Goodwin  propd.  for  admission  to  Com:  with  y* 
chh. 

—  31.     Went  over  ye  River  in  ye  afternoon  to  Visit  Mr.  Woodbridge 

August  1738. 

Aug.  T.  Hannah  ye  wife  of  Lieunt.  Aaron  Cook  came  to  desire 
Admission  to  communion  with  ye  church.  .  .  . 

—  2.     This  day  went  to  Durham  with  ye  Govern'.  &  Sister  Hooker 

&c.     Saw  Mr.  Noyes  *  at  Middletown.     my  friends  all  well 


1  Probably  Rev.  Joseph  Noyes,  pastor  of  the  First  Church  of  New  Haven,  whose  wife, 
Abigail  Pierpont,  was  half-sister  to  Mary  Pierpont,  the  wife  of  Rev.  William  Russell,  the  Middle- 
town  pastor.  Mr.  Noyes  was  born  in  Stonington  Oct.  16,  1688  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1609  ;  tutor  Y.  C. 
1710-15  ;  ordained  at  New  Haven  July  4,  1716  ;  had  a  long  controversy  in  his  church  growing  out  of 
the  agitation  of  the  Great  Awakening  period  and  following  discussions,  respecting  both  which  he 
belonged  to  the  Old  Light  party  ;  died  June  14,  1761. 


28  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1738 

—  4.     This  day  some  rain,  ye  Govern',  not  well,  wee  returned  from 

Durham,  got  Home  a  little  after  nine  o'clock 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     ye  Govern',  sick  and  prayed 

for.  and  Jno.  Haynes  Lord.  Hannah  ye  daughter  of  Nehemiah 
Cadwell  baptized.  A  sacrament  notified  for  ye  next  Sabbath. 

—  8.     .     .     .     This  day  our  people  gat  ye  spire  pole  into  ye  Tower. 

—  ii.     This  day  in  Study,  warm  weather,  y*  Govern1,  very  ill. 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment .  .  .  Govern'  yet  sick.  Elisha  Pratt  &  his  wife, 
Abijah  Catlin  and  Hannah  ye  wife  of  Eleazer  Goodwin  admitted 
to  communion  with  ye  church. 

—  15.     Ye  Govern'  Hopefully  better.      this   day  at  night   Capt. 

Hooker  took  my  horse  to  keep. —  and  kept  him  till  ye  Wednes- 
day following  — 

—  16.     This  day  went  to  Farmington  to  Examine  M'.  Bartholomew1 

in  order  to  ordination  and  Mr.  Marsh2  in  order  to  preaching, 
warm  weather. 

—  17.     This  day  our  people  raised  ye  spire  of  our  Steeple  without 

hurt  to  any.  thanks  be  to  god  who  has  preserved  y'  Lives  and 
limbs,  at  night  died  M'.  Robert  Bartlett  aged  35 

—  19.     This  day  was  Interred  Mr.  Robert  Bartlett.     at  night  heard 

y'  brother  Nathan  Talcot  died  sometime  this  week. 

—  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  i.  pet.  i.  17.     .     .     . 

Sundry  persons  sick  and  prayed  for. 

—  22.     This  day  visited  Jn°.  Cook,  sick,  went  to  Glastonbury  re- 

turning went  to  visit  M'.  Mix.3 

—  23.     This  day  little  study.     M'.  White 6  of  South=Hampton  here. 

I  went  with  him  to  the  West=Division. 

—  26.     This  day  is  six  year  since  I  came  to  live  in  Hartford. 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.     .     .     .     P.M.  M'.  White  of 

South  Hampton  preached  for  me  from  rom.  5.  12. —  a  very 
warm  day 

—  28.     ...     This  day  about  6  o'clock  in  ye  afternoon  died  ye 

Revd.  M'.  Stephen  Mix  of  Weathersfield. 


1  Andrew  Bartholomew,  born  at  Branford,  Nov.  7,  1714 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1731;  ordained  pastor  at 
Harwinton,  Oct.  4,  1738,  the  church  having  been  formed  the  2?th  of  September  previous.     Mr.  B. 
was  dismissed  Jan.  26,  1774,  but  continued  to  live  in  Harwinton  till  his  death,  March  6,  1776.     A 
defender  of  the  Half- Way  Covenant  in  opposition  to  Bellamy. 

2  Jonathan  Marsh,  Jr.,  son  of  Rev.  Jonathan  of  Windsor,  born  Jan.  i,  1713-14 ;  grad.  Y.  C. 
J735  ;  ordained  pastor  at  New  Hartford  Oct.  10, 1739  ;  remained  in  office  till  his  death,  July  5, 1794. 
An  "Old  Light,"  like  Mr.  Bartholomew,  in  theology. 

8  Rev.  Stephen  Mix  of  Wethersfield,  born  at  New  Haven  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1690 ;  ordained  pastor 
at  Wethersfield  1694  ;  died  in  office,  Aug.  28,  1738. 

4  Rev.  Silvanus  White  born  1704  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1722  ;  ordained  at  Southampton  Nov.  17,  1727; 
died  Oct.  22,  1782. 


1738]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  29 

—  30.     This  day  was  Interred  ye  Revd.  Stephen  Mix         Mr  Marsh 

preached  a  sermon  from  2  cor.  4.  13.  a  great  number  of  peo- 
ple were  at  ye  funeral  and  this  day  died  ye  widow  Hinsdel  of 
this  Town. 

September  begins 

Sept.  3.  Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Isai.  57.  15.  at  ye  n  chh 
and  P.M.  at  my  own  meeting  from  Act.  26.  28.  Hannah  Cook 
ye  wife  of  Lieut*.  Aaron  Cook  was  taken  into  ye  church. 

—  5.     This   day    visited  y"   sick         read  some  of    Berry  Street 

Sermons.     Superior  Court  opened  in  this  Town  to  day. 

—  6.     This  day  went  to  Middletown  ordinat".     The  Revd.  Mr.  Ed- 

ward Elles '  was  ordained  Pastor  of  ye  North  chh  or  Society. 
The  Revd.  Mr.  Eells  of  Scituate  preached  from  Act.  20.  28.  and 
then  prayed  and  gave  ye  charge,  Mr.  Hosmore  made  ye  next 
prayer,  Mr.  Burnham "  gave  ye  Right  Hand  of  fellowship.  Mr. 
Russel  made  ye  prayer  previous  to  ye  Sermon,  psal.  118  from 
ye  25:  v.  to  ye  end  was  sung. 

—  7.     This  day  ye  news  of  ye  death  of  Brother  Nathan  Talcott  of 

New  Milford  comes  confirmed. 

—  10.     Lords  day  Mr.  Goss  preached   pr  totum  A.M.  from  Jer.  17. 

9.  10.     P.M.  from  matt.  7.  12.     a  cold  day 

—  13.     This  day  Commencement  at   N.  Haven,  ye  affairs  of  ye  day 

managed  in  tolerable  order,  took  ye  first  degree  15,  ye  2d 
[blank]  Chauncy  Whittlesey  3  made  ye  Salutatory  oration  and 
Sam:  Williams4  ye  Valedictory. 

—  15.     This  day  returned  from   N:  Haven  in  safety  and  found  my 

family  well  God  be  praised  for  it. 


1  Rev.  Edward  Eells  born  at  Scituate  (where  his  father,  Rev.  Nathaniel  Eells,  who  preached, 
made  the  ordaining  prayer  and  gave  the  charge  on  this  occasion,  was  pastor),  grad.  H.  C.  1733,  and 
continued  in  the  pastorate  of  this  North  Society  (now  Cromwell)  till  his  death,  Oct.  12,  1776,  aged 
sixty-four.     He  preached  the  Election  Sermon  in  1767,  and  published  some  pamphlets  in  the  Wal- 
lingford  Controversy. 

2  Rev.  William  Burnham  of  the  Second  Society  in  Farmington  (now  Kensington),  born  in 
Wethersfield  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1702  ;  settled  as  pastor  Dec.,  1712  ;  died   Sept.,  1750.     Under  Mr.  Burn- 
ham's  ministry  a  prayer  and  conference  meeting  existed,  at  which   the  brethren   presided  in  rota- 
tion, each  one  naming  the  next   to  preside  and  designating  the  Scripture  passage  to  be  considered. 
The  explanation  of  this  (at  this  date)  unusual  practice  is  probably  to  be  found   that   Mr.  Burnham 
had  lived  an  unordained  person  among  the  people  of  his  charge  for  five  years  previous  to  his  becom- 
ing their  official  pastor. 

8  Afterward  Rev.  Chauncey  Whittlesey^of  the  First  Church  in  New  Haven.  He  was  born  at 
Wallingford,  Oct.  8,  1717  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1738  ;  tutor  in  Y.  C.  six  years ;  in  business  in  N.  H.  ten  or 
twelve  years  though  preaching  occasionally  ;  ordained  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  as  colleague  with 
Rev.  Mr.  Noyes,  March  i,  1758  ;  continued  after  Mr.  Noyes'  death,  in  the  sole  pastorate  till  he 
died  July  24,  1787.  He  preached  the  Election  Sermon  May  14.  1778. 

4  Samuel  Williams,  son  of  Rector  Williams.  He  had  graduated  three  years  before,  in  1735, 
and  was  now  probably  giving  his  Master's  oration.  He  was  born  in  the  Newington  parish  of 
Wethersfield,  Aug.  16,  1720 ;  and  died,  two  years  later  than  this  event  mentioned  by  Mr.  Wads- 
worth,  Nov.  15,  1740,  at  Wethersfield. 


30  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [if 38 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  3  children, 

viz.  Amos  Shepherd,  Ezekiel  Sandford,  and  Hannah  Catlin 

—  21.     This  day  some  study,  pleasant  weather,     the  Govern1,  first 

came  hither  after  his  sickness,     this  day  died  Orange  Webb 

—  23.     This  day     .     .     .     Orange  Webb  was  Interred. 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum     .     .     .     Daniel  Messen- 

ger dismissed  from  my  chh.  in  order  to  Joyn  with  ye  people 
at  Herwinton  in  forming  into  Church  State 

—  25.     This  day  ye  son  of  Jos:  Holtum  was  buried. 

—  27.     This  day     .      .      .      visited  ye  sick,  this  day  died  Joseph 

Collier. 

—  28.     This  day  Joseph  Collier  was  buried,     this  day  is  six  years 

since  I  was  ordained  to  ye  work  of  ye  ministry. 

October  begins 

Oct.  i  Lords  day  I  preached.  ...  a  very  rainy  stormy  day. 
this  day  Ben:  Catlin  and  Margaret  his  wife  &  Anna  the  wife 
of  Jon:  Hopkins  dismissed  to  Harwinton  church. 

—  3.     This  day  I  went  to  Harwinton  to  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Bar- 

tholomew,   gat  there  safely 

—  4.     This  day  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Andrew  Bartholomew  was  ordained 

pastor  of  ye  Church  and  people  at  ye  Town  of  Harwinton  ac- 
cording to  ye  direction  of  ye  ordination  Councel.  I  began 
with  prayer,  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Whitman  of  Farmington  preached 
from  Jer.  3.  15.  and  made  ye  prayer  previous  to  ye  charge,  and 
gave  yc  charge,  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Marsh  made  ye  next  prayer,  ye 
Revd.  Mr.  Whitman  of  Hartford  gave  ye  right  Hand  of  fellow- 
ship and  ye  part  of  ye  118.  psalm  was  sung  and  ye  Revd.  Mr. 
Bartholomew  pronounced  the  blessing. 

—  5.     This  day  I  heard  that  Mr.  Rosewell  Saltonstall '  of  Branford 

died  at  New  London  the  first  day  of  this  month. 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.  22.  27.    Laboured 

under  weakness  and  difficulty 

—  9.     ...     this  day  our  people  set  fire  to  their  Kiln  of  oyster 

Shells,  containing  about  1200  bushel. 

—  10.     This  day  went  to  Scantick  to  ye  Association,     nothing  re- 

markable happened.     ye  govern'  set  out  for  New-Haven. 

—  ii.     This  day  a  lecture  at  Scantick  by  Mr.  Elmer.2     .     .     . 


i  Capt.  Rosewell  Saltonstall,  H.  C.  1720,  died  Oct.  i,  1738. 

1  Rev.  Daniel  Elmer,  born  in  East  Windsor  about  1690 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1713 ;  preached  awhile 
in  different  places  in  Massachusetts,  removing  in  172710  New  Jersey;  ordained  in  1728  pastor  of  the 
Church  in  Fairfield,  Cumberland  Co.,  in  that  State,  where  he  died  Jan.  14,  1755.  An  "Old  Side" 
man  in  the  troubles  attending  the  Whitefieldian  movement. 


1738]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  31 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  phil:   2.  5.     John 

Spencer  Senr.  was  admitted  into  communion  with  ye  chh 

—  17.     .     .     .     Mr.  Hobart1  of  fairfield  here  upon  a  Journey  to 

Boston.     Mr.  Bissel  here. 

—  19.     .     .     .     Great  expectation  of  a  war  with  Spain.     recd.  a 

letter  from  ye  gov.  at  N:  Haven 

—  20.     this  day  received  twenty  pounds  in  money  of  Sam".  Peck 

—  21.     .     .     .     this  day  was  buried  a  child  of  Sam1.  Halladays  who 

died  yesterday  of  ye  throat  distemper  as  was  supposed,  and 
this  day  died  a  child  of  Daniel  Seymours  of  ye  throat  distemper. 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum    .    .    .    between  services 

the  child   of  Daniel  Seymour  y*  died  yesterday  was  buried. 
Jemima  ye  daughter  of  Ben:  Richards  was  baptized. 

—  26.     .     .     .     this  day  heard  that  Willm  Thall  died  yesterday 

—  27.     At  night  Mr.  Curtiss"  here,  came  from  ye  Councel  at  Staf- 

ford        at  night  my  horse  was  put  into  C.  Hookers  past 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum      .      .      .      and  baptized 

John  Jones  upon  his  Masters  ace".  John  Spencer,  he  ingaging 
to  bring  him  up  in  ye  Christian  faith. 

—  31.     This  day  very  little  study.     .     .     .     this  day  our  people 

got  ye  bell  up  into  ye  Steeple  in  order  to  hang  it 

Novembr.  Begins 

Nov.  i.     ...     Docf.   Hull 3  came  to  Capt.   Hooker,  who  con- 
tinues very  sick  of  ye  Cholick 

—  2.     ...     This  day  our  meeting  house  bell 4  was  hung  and  first 

Rang  in  our  Steeple         this  day  a  child,  Charter  by  name  was 
buried,     this  day  ye  gen11,  assembly  adjourned  without  day. 

—  3.     .     .     .     this  day  ye  Govern'  got  home  well  from  ye  general 

assembly 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.     .     .     .     at  y*  n  chh.  and  P.M. 


1  Rev.  Noah  Hobart,  born  at  Hingham,  Mass.,  Jan.  12,  1706;  grad.  H.  C.  1724;  ordained 
pastor  First  Congregational  Church,  Faisfield.  Feb.  7,  1733.  A  leading  minister  of  the  day,  an 
active  Controversialist  in  behalf  of  the  principles  of  Congregationalism  as  against  the  claims  of 
Episcopacy.  He  published  many  sermons  and  pamphlets,  among  which  is  the  Election  Sermon  of 
1750.  He  died  Dec.  6,  1773. 

4  Rev.  Jeremiah  Curtis,  born  in  Stratfield  (now  Bridgeport),  Connecticut,  in  May,  1706;  grad. 
Y.  C.  1724  ;  ordained  at  Southington,  Nov.  13,  1728.  In  the  Whitefieldian  troubles  he  was  an  "  Old 
Light,"  and  in  Nov.,  1755,  he  was  dismissed  from  his  charge.  He  continued  to  live  in  Southington 
for  forty  years  longer,  where  he  died  March  21,  1795. 

3  Doctor  Benjamin  Hull  of  Wallingford  ;  licensed  to  practice,  physic,  Oct.,  1717.     Dr.  Gurdon 
W.  Russell  in  his  Early  Medicine  and  Early  Medical  Men  in  Connecticut  says  that  Dr.  Hull's  peti- 
tion to  be  admitted   to  practice,  "  shows  that  orthography  was  not  among  the  '  arts  and  mysteries ' 
he  had  cultivated  with  success." 

4  See  as  to  the  history  of  the  bell,  Mr.  Rowland  Swift's  paper  in  the   Two  Hundred  and 
Fiftieth  A  nniversary  volume  of  the  First  Church. 


32  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1738 

.  .  .  at  my  own  meeting.  Sarah  ye  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Alcot  was  baptized,  in  ye  evening  I  preached  a  lecture  at 
Decn.  Merrills  from  Jos.  24.  15. 

—  6.     .     .     .     this  day  I  bo't  Benjamin  Catlins  House,  barn,  Home 

Lot '  &c.  for  £$oo.  to  be  paid  £200.  February  next,  ,£200. 
Aug4  20th  next  coming,  ,£100.  Feby  20  1740.  ye  lot  contains  8 
acres.  This  day  my  horse  was  taken  from  Capt.  Hookers  pas- 
ture, last  friday  week  he  was  put  in 

—  9.     thanksgiving  I  preached  from  psal.  103.  i  to  ye  5. 

—  12.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     baptized  Mehitable  Marvin 

and  Ann  Brace.  Dorcas  Brace  and  Rebecca  Brace  owned  ye 
Covenant  ye  wife  of  Seth  Young  &  Abigail  Ashley  pro- 
pounded to  own  ye  Covenant 

—  14.     This  day  went  to  Farmington.     Saw  my  friends  well.    This 

day  I  suppose  is  my  birth  day 

—  15.     This  day  Came   From  Farmington,  thanks  be  to  god  y* 

hath  preserved  me.     .     .     . 

—  1 6.     .     .     .     this  day  Mr.  Wm.  Keith  and   M".  Marrianne  Law- 

rence were  joined  in  Marriage. 

—  19.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  phil:  3.  8.  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacrament:  in  ye  afternoon  ye  South  Side  people 
were  at  our  meeting.  Mr.  Whitman  not  being  well. 

—  21.     This  day  I  first  perceived  something  like  a  tooth  cutt  in  ye 

roof  of  my  mouth  under  my  right  foretooth.  May  not  ye 
effects  thereof  be  hurtfull 

—  22.     Cold  weather,    this  day  my  uncle  Thomas  here.     ye  County 

Court  adjd.  to  ye  last  Tuesday  in  January.  2  persons  whipt 
for  stealing 

—  23.     partly    in     study.      observed    something   in    one   of    my 

parishioners  gives  me  fears  what  he  may  come  to.  I  pray  god 
to  restrain  him  from  sin,  and  keep  him  from  the  iniquity  w°. 
I  fear  may  be  his  ruin. 

—  26.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  I.  pet.  4.  17.      Abigail 

Ashley  owned  ye  Covenant 

—  28.     I  find  by  looking  over  my  register  of  baptisms  y'  I  have 

baptized  since  my  ordination,  in  my  own  parish,  66  males  and 
69  females  snowy  day,  snow  fell  shoe  deep. 


1  Mr.  Wadsworth  had  bought  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Woodbridge  "about  one  acre  more  or  less"  for 
a  home  in  1733.  This  ground  on  which  he  proceeded  speedily  to  build  was  that  on  which  he  lived, 
and  on  part  of  which  the  Athenseum  building  now  stands.  Some  fragmentary  accounts  of  pay- 
ments made  on  the  cellar  and  the  well  and  other  items  of  construction  are  still  extant.  This  pur- 
chase from  Benjamin  Catlin  was  an  additional  one. 


1739]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  33 

-  29.     .     .     .     at  night  recd  a  present  of  40'.  from  Mr.  Palmer 

December  begins 

Dec.  3.     Lords  day  Mr.  Burr  of  Worcester  preached  for  me  A:M. 
from  Col.  3.  17.  &  P.M.  from  heb.  4.  3. 

—  7.     This  day  sold  my  Lot  by  Ephraim  Smiths  at  ,£13  pr.  acre. 

returned  from  Farmington. 

—  8.     this  day  partly  in  Study,  reading  the  Turkish  Spy,1  nothing 
remarkable  occurs. 

-  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  2  Epist.  Joh.  4.  v.  .    .   . 

—  12.     Some  Study,     a  snowy  day.     Mr.  Serjeant2  of  ousatannack 

here  at  night 

—  13.     This  day  more  moderate     .     .     .     Mr.  Serjeant  went  from 

hence 

—  14.     this  day  ye  weather  Something  moderated,  my  Self  under 

difficulties  and  perplexities 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  rom.  6.  21.    baptized 

James  son  of  Ozias  Pitkin  Esq. 

—  1 8.     this  day  went  to  Wintonbury,  borrowed  Stackhouses  body 

of  Divinity 

—  21.     this  day  without  Study,     this  day  my  people  sledded  wood 

for  me.     this  day  died  ye  wife  of  Wm.  Day 

—  22.     .     .     .     this  day  was  buried  ye  wife  of  William  Day 

—  23.     Visited  ye  sick  Capt.  Williamson  &  widow  Day. 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  psal.  77.  6.     this  day 

died  Capt.  Caleb  Williamson 

—  26.     This  day  died  ye  widow  Day 

—  27.     This  day  cold.     ye  widow  Day  Interred 

—  29.     .     .     .     this  day  ye  Society  voted  me  ,£200.  salary 

-  31.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  psal.  94.  12.  and  baptized  Joseph 

ye  son  of  Seth  Youngs 

January  a  new  year  begins.     1738/9 

Jany.  3.     little  Study  very  cold,     visited  Mr.  Woodbridge 

—  4.     This  day  some  Study.     Capt.  Ozias  Pitkin  very  ill  with  ye 

Cholick 


I  The  Turkish  Spy.    Letters  writ  by  a  Turkish  Spy,  who  lived  five  and  forty  years  un- 
discovered at  Paris,  a  book  written  by  John   Paul  Marana,  a  Genoese,  first  published  in  1691  and 
which  went  through  twenty-six  editions  by  1770. 

II  Rev.  John  Sergeant,  born  in  1710  in  Newark,  New  Jersey;  grad.  Y.  C.  1729;  tutor  some 
time  in  Y.  C. ;  ordained  Aug.  31,  1735,  as  a  religious  teacher  among  the  Housatonic  Indians  residing 
in  what  are  now  the  towns  of  Stockbridge  and  Great  Harrington  in  Massachusetts.     In  this  work  he 
attained  a  most  honorable  success  and  continued  in  it  till  his  early  death  in  his  thirty-ninth  year  July 
27,  1749. 

5 


34  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [*739 

-  7.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  heb.  3.  12  and  baptized 

Samuel  the  son  of  Capt.  George  Wyllys 

—  8.     This  day  Study  and  visiting  &c.     this  day  writt  a  will  for  ye 
wid:  Hannah  Hopkins 

—  10.     This  day  I  went  to  Farmington     saw  my  friends  well,  sav- 

ing uncle  Hez.  who  is  Lame,  returned  safe.  Misty 
weather,  called  up  in  ye  night  to  visit  a  sick  child 

-  ii     providence  is  y*  care  wc  god  has  over  all  things  in  y'  world, 

to  preserve  ye  being  he  has  given  ym,  and  to  direct  their 
motions  and  actions  to  ye  ends  he  has  purposed.  Snowy 
weather  this  day 

-  13.     .     .     .     this  day  died  ye  widow  Kelsey 

-  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  at  ye  new  chh.  i.  cor.  i.  30.    and 

P.M.  at  my  own  from  heb.  3.  13. 

—  15.     This  day  visiting  y"  sick,  writing   &c.     this  day  ye  widow 

Kelsey  was  buried 

—  16.     .     .     .     this  day  ye  son  of  moses  Seymour  was  buried 

—  17.     This  day     ...     a  child  of  Henry  Nicholson  was  buried 

—  19.     .     .     .     This  day  died  Abigail  ye  daughter  of  Ben:  Richards 

in  ye  7th  year  of  her  age 

—  20.     This  day     .     .     .     Abigail  Richards  was  buried 

—  21.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  heb.  3.   13.  pr.  totum.     Bar- 

zillai  Clark  &  Deb:  Cook  were  admitted  to  full  communion 
with  ye  chh 

—  26.     This  day     .     .     .     died  Nath11  Marsh  Junr. 

—  27.     This  day     .     .     .     Natt:  Marsh  was  buried 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  and  administred  y*  Lords  Supper 

.     .     .     Nabby  4  year  old  this  day 

—  30.     The  adjourned  County  court  sits  here  today,     very  cold 

weather,  at  night  died  Benjamin  Richards  aged  6  years,  yc 
son  of  Benj:  Richards. 

—  31.     This  day  ye  son  of  Ben.  Richards,  Interred,     a  warm  day. 

little  study.     Mr.  Bissel  here. 

February  begins. 

Feby.  i.     This  day  little  study.      Cumbred    with   visits   to   little 
profit,     raining  in  ye  afternoon 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Eccles.  7.  14     ye  new 

church  people  at  our  meeting,  Mr.  Whitman  being  sick.  Ros- 
well  ye  son  of  Daniel  Steel  was  baptized. 

—  5.     William    Nichols   and    Mary    Farnsworth    were   Joined   in 

marriage 


1739]  WADSWORTH'S  UIARY  35 

—  6.     This  day    .    .    .    died  Jonath"  ye  son  of  Benjamin  Richards. 

-  7.     This  day  went  to  Glastonbury,  a  lecture  there.     Mr.  Lock- 

wood  l  preached  from  Matt.  25.  46.     Jonathan  ye  son  of  Ben. 
Richards  was  buried  this  day. 

-  10.     This  day  in  Study         Cool  weather:  close  application  to 

business,  ye  way  to  have  it  easy  and  pleasant 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Exod.  20.   16.      a 

snowy  day 

-  13.     This  day     .     .     .     went  to  Farmington      Many  sick  there 

—  14.    .This  day  finished  a  bargain  with  Elisha  Lewis  about  my 

pasture  by  Lieut.  Harts  and  took  his  bond  for  ^90.    returned 
from  Farmington. 

—  16.     .      .     .     Eben:    Belding   paied    me    ,£27.    on    account   of 

Samuel  Peck. 

—  1 8.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  Exod.  20.  17  and  finished  my 

discourses  upon  the  Commandments.     Aaron  ye  son  of  John 
Shepherd  was  baptized 

-  19.     This  day  little  study,     a  case  of  weight  and  importance 

proposed  to  me.     may  I  be  directed  in  resolving  it 

—  20.     ...     this  day  paied  ^10.  at  Mr.  Sloans  shop  of  what  I 

owed  him,  and  ^5.  17  more  for  our  maid 

—  22.     .     .    .    at  night  married  Capt.  Josiah  Hart  &  Lois  Goodwin 

-  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  psal.  96.  4.     ... 

a  thunder  storm  at  night,     the  thunder  now  rattles  in  ye  sky, 
and  ye  heavens  are  as  it  were  on  fire. 

-  27.     .     .     .     this  day  paied  to  Thomas  Abbe  ^50.  on  ye  ace*  of 

Dan".  Brown,  being  part  of  ye  ,£200.  I  was  to  pay  Ben.  Catling. 
&  Dan".  Catling  gave  me  credit  ^50.  on  his  fathers  Bond. 

-  28.     This  day  Mr.  James  Lockwood  was  ordained  pastor  of  ye 

first  church  in  Weathersfield.     Mr.  Ashbel  Woodbridge  began 
with  prayer.     Mr.  Wm.  Russel  preached  from  Col.  4.  17.     Mr. 
Steph".   Hosmore  made  ye  next  prayr.  and  Mr.  Dan11.  Russel " 
gave  ye  Right  Hand  of  fellowship. 
March  begins 

-  Mch.  i.     In  ye  afternoon  a  number  of  Mr.  Whitmans  parish  met 


1  Rev.  James  Lockwood,  born  at  Norwalk,  Dec.  20,  1714 ;  grad.  Y.   C.  1735  ;  ordained  at 
Wethersfield,  successor  of  Rev.  Stephen  Mix,  Feb.  28,  1738-39  ;  a  Fellow  of  Y.  C.  from  1760  to  his 
death ;  a  favorer  of  Whitefield  and  new  measures  ;  preacher  of  the  Election  Sermon  May  9,  1754, 
and  again  May  10,  1759  ;  published  several  Occasional  Sermons  ;  died  July  20,  1772. 

2  Rev.  Daniel   Russell,  born   in   Middletown,  June  3,   1702  ;   grad.    Y.    C.   1724  ;   ordained  at 
Stepney  (now  Rocky  Hill)  June  7,  1727  ;  died  in  the  pastorate  Sept.  16,  1764.     He  was  brother  of 
Rev.  William  Russell  of  Middletown,  and  son  of  Rev.  Noadiah  of  the  same  place. 


36  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1739 

to  pray  for  yr  ministers,  life  and  health,  he  being  sick.     Mr. 

Hosmer,  Bissel  and  my  self  there. 
—  4.     Lords   day    Mr.    Levinsworth1    preached   for   me 

Hannah  Youngs  owned  ye  Covenant.     John  ye  son  of  Cornelius 

Knowles  was  baptized. 
-  8.     Mr.  Backus "  &  Bartlett 3  here  at  night 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  heb.   2.  3.      rainy, 

snowy  weather 

—  13.     This  day     .     .     .     my  uncle  Thomas  here.     Some  ill  news 

of  one  of  my  friends  afflicts  me  greatly 

—  1 8.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     ye  new  church  people  met 

at  our  meeting  house. 

—  20.     Paied  Ben:  Catling  £20  money. 

—  24.     This  day  in  Study,     this  day  took  up  my  bonds  given  to 

Ben.  Catling,  and  in  lieu  of  ym  gave  new  bonds  to  Daniel 
Brown  one  ,£130  another  ,£200  to  be  paied  next  August, 
another  100  to  be  paied  next  February. 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  heb.  12. 14.    Laboured 

under  great  difficulty  by  reason  of  faintness  &  weakness  at  my 
breast. 

—  26.     This  day     .     .     .     reading  Pierce  his  vindication*  &c. 

April. 

April  i.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  i  King  n.  9.  baptized  Mary  ye 
daughter  of  John  Knowles. 

—  5.     This  day     .     .     .     paied  Mr.  Sloane  ^3.  in  money.     Train- 

ing day 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.  50.  i.  and  bap- 

tized Mary  ye  daughter  of  Ichabod  Wadsworth  and  Sarah  ye 
daughter  of  Barzaillai  Clark. 

—  ii.     This  day  a  publick  fast,  I  preached  per  totum  at  ye  new 

chh  from  Isai.  48.  8.  warm  weather,  after  meeting  Elisha 
Diar  was  Interred. 

—  14.     I  hear  y*  two  men  were  ye  killed  with  ye  lighning  at  Mid- 

dletown  last  night,  blessed  be  god  y'  has  preserved  me 
and  mine  from  destruction  by  it 


1  Rev.  Mark  Leavenworth,  born  in  Stratford  in  1712 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1737 ;  invited  in 
October  of  this  year  (1739)  to  the  ministry  of  the  First  Society  in  Waterbury :  ordained  there  in 
March,  1740;  continued  pastor  till  his  death,  Aug.  20, 1797.  He  was  an  enthusiastic  "  New  Light"; 
and  preached  the  Election  Sermon  May  14,  1772. 

a  Rev.  Simon  Backus  of  Newington,  born  at  Norwich,  Feb.  ii,  1701  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1724  ;  or- 
dained at  the  Newington  parish  in  Wethersfield  Jan.  25,  1727.  Died  at  Louisburg  while  Chaplain 
to  the  Connecticut  troops  at  that  port,  February  2,  1745-6. 

3  Rev.  Moses  Bartlett,  born  in  Madison,  Feb.  8,  1707-8  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1730 ;  ordained  at  Port- 
land parish  in  Chatham,  June  6,  1733  ;  died  Dec.  27.  1766. 

4  A  Vindication  of  Dessenters,  by  Rev.  James  Pierce  of  Exeter,  England,  1718. 


1/39]  WADSWORTIl'S   DIARY  37 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Job.  i.  29  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacrament. 

-  17.     This  day     .     .     .     heard  yi  Mr.  Judah   Lewis1  of  Colches- 

ter died  last  Lords  day  night 

—  18.     This  day  went   to  Windsor  to  a  Councel2:  a  case  of  no 

small  difficulty  Laied  before  ye  Councel 

-  19.     This  day  spent  at  Windsor  in  ye  business  aforesd.     Came 

home  at  night. 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  i  tim.  6.  8.     .     .     . 

O  y*  I  could  with  more  facility  and  comfort  discharge  ye  duties 
of  ye  Sabbath 

—  24.     This  day  freemans  meeting  Capt.  Marsh  &  Mr.  Buckingham 

Chosen  Deputies,     went  to  Farmington     .     .     . 

—  26.     This   day   received    a    letter    from    Docf.    Doddridge   at 

Northampton  in  England  another  from  Jno.  Wadsworth  of  ye 
same  place,  another  from  Thomas  and  Ann  Wadsworth  at 
Long  buckby  in  old  England,  as  cold  water  to  a  thirsty  soul, 
so  is  good  news  from  a  far  country.3 

-  28.     this  day     .     .     .     ye  wife   of  Joseph    Barnard    (who  died 

yesterday)  was  buried. 

-  29.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from   luk.  3.  8.     .     .     . 

at  night  Governr.  Talcott  recd.  a  letter  from  agent  Wilks4 

May  begins 

May  3.     Mr.    Samuel    Talcott   and    M™.    Mehetable   Wyllys   were 
Joined  in  marriage 

—  5.     This  day     .      .      .     recd.   from  ye  Revd.   Docf.   Colman  a 


1  Rev.  Judah  Lewis,  born  in  Colchester  June  6,  1703  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1726 ;  ordained  at  what 
was  called  the  Westchester  Society,  set  off  from  Colchester  and  East  Haddam,  Dec.  17,  1729.  He 
died  April  15,  1739,  in  his  36th  year. 

3  This  Council  was  called  on  one  special  phase  of  a  controversy  which  in  various  forms  had 
a  good  while  continued  between  Rev.  Timothy  Edwards  and  his  Church  at  East  Windsor.  The 
fans  et  origo  of  the  difficulty  was  an  opposition  between  pastor  and  people  about  church-govern- 
ment ;  the  pastor  being  a  strong  advocate  of  the  Ecclesiastical  System  established  at  Saybrook  in 
1708  ;  the  church  claiming  to  be  Congregational  according  to  the  system  of  the  Westminster  Plat- 
form adopted  at  Cambridge  in  1649. 

The  particular  point  round  which  the  antagonism  just  now  centered  was  the  case  of  one 
Joseph  Diggins,  whom  Mr.  Edwards  refused  to  allow  the  church  privilege  of  Owning  the  Covenant 
and  having  his  child  baptized;  alleging  against  him  the  "  scandalous  offence  of  having  married  Mr. 
William  Stoughton's  daughter  contrary  to  her  father's  wish."  The  church  sustained  Mr.  Diggins' 
claim  ;  Mr.  Edwards  refused  to  hear  the  church,  affirming  a  right  of  negative  on  the  church,  and 
that  until  his  opinion  changed  it  was  useless  for  the  church  to  meddle  in  the  matter.  The  matter 
will  be  referred  to  again. 

3  Mr.  Wadsworth  maintained  correspondence  with  his  English  relatives  with  considerable 
activity  considering  the  time,  and  an  interesting  letter  to  him  from  Dr.  Doddridge  dated  Northamp- 
ton, March  6,  1741,  acknowledging  one  received  from  Mr.  Wadsworth  written  Sept.  15,  1740,  is  still 
extant  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  J.  H.  Trumbull. 

4  Francis  Wilks,  Esq.,  agent  of  the  Colony  at  the  English  Court.     He  died  in  1742. 


38  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1739 

present  of  3  Sermons  &  about  a  dozen  of  Watts  Songs,  and 
a  dozen  of  Henrys  Catechism,  I  pray  god  bless  and  preserve 
ye  life  of  y*  useful  man 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  luk.  3.  8.  A.M.  and  P.M.  from 

Jam.  i.  21.     a  pleasant  day     .     .     , 

-  10.     This  day  election.     Govern'.  Dept-Governr.  and  assistants 

all  as  in  ye  year  past  excepting  that  Mr.  Stillman  was  chosen 
an  assistant  and  Mr.  Lewis  was  left  out.  this  day  heard  by 
Mr.  Clap '  that  some  people  have  lately  discovred  spots  in  ye 
sun 

—  13.     Lords  day  Mr.  Burr  preached  for  me     .     .     . 

—  1 6.     This  day     .     .         began  to  pull  down  my  old  barn,  work- 

men. Jos.  Talcot  &  Wm.  Goodwin 

—  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum      .      .      .      may  ye  divine 

blessing  attend  my  Labours.  May  I  be  successfull  in  ye 
ministry 

—  22.     .     .     .     this  day  Mr.  Douse  came  to  board  at  our  house 

-  23 this  day  paied  to  Daniel  Brown  of  Infield  76 

pound,  being  part  of  the  first  bond  y*  he  has  ag'.  me 

—  27.     This  day  preached     .     .     .     Laboured  under  great  indis- 

position especially  in  ye  forenoon.     .     .     . 

-  27.     This  day  in  secular  business,     raised  a  barn  &c. 

—  31.     nil  remarkable.     Save  yl  Epaphras  Lord  Junr.  died  in  ye 

7th  year  of  his  age. 

June  begins 
June  2.     Epaphras  Lord  Interred  in  ye  afternoon. 

—  3.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Laboured  under  much  weak- 

ness and  indisposition 

—  4.     This  day  writing  letters  &°.  for  England     ...     at  night 

heard  y*  brother  Matthew  Talcot  is  come  from  sea. 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  ye  association  at  Toland 

—  6.     This  day  a  lecture  Mr.  Marsh  preached  from  act.  9.  6.     re- 

turned home,  I  thank  god  that  has  bro't  me  to  see  my  family 
in  safety 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  for  Mr.  Whitman  ye  sermon 

composed  on   i   tim.  6.  8.  tho'  the  text  I  took  for  it  was  heb. 


1  Rev.  Thomas  Clap,  now  of  Windham,  but  next  year  to  be  inducted  Rector  of  Yale  College. 
Mr.  Clap  was  born  at  Scituate,  Mass.,  June  26,  1703  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1722  ;  ordained  pastor  at  Wind- 
ham  Aug.  3,  1726  ;  transferred  to  the  Presidency  of  Yale  College  April  2,  1740  ;  resigned  the  office  in 
September,  1765  ;  died  at  New  Haven  Jan.  7,  1767.  He  was  an  "  Old  Light"  in  the  religious  con- 
troversies of  his  day  ;  an  opposer  of  the  Whitefieldian  methods,  and  author  of  several  important 
historical  and  controversial  publications. 


1739]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  59 

13.  5.     ...     Laboured  under  great   indisposition  by  reason 
of  a  cold 

—  12.     This  day  went  to  a  Councel  at  Windsor  rainy  weather 

—  13.     This   day  spent  at  Windsor  in  ye  affair  between    Mr.  Ed- 

wards and  ye  chh     came  to  a  Conclusion  Late  at  night1 

—  15.     .     .     .     brother  Matthew  came  home  from  sea. 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sac- 

ram'.     .     .     . 

-  19.     This   day   ye    gen11.   assocn.   meets   at   Wallingford    I    was 
appointed  a  Delegate  but  could  not  with  convenience  go. 

—  20.     paied  to  Mr.  Sam".  Dwight  of  Somers  ^55.  u.  o.  on  ace" 

of  Daniel  Brown,  and  took  up  my  bond 

—  21.     .      .      .      perplexed  with  variety  of  affairs     .      .      .      Mr. 

Hobart  of  Fairfield  here  at  night 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  had  a  Contribution  for 

ye  presbyterians  at  Southington.3     14  pound  contributed 

—  28.     .     .     .     writ  a  letter  to  send  to  Mr.  Sylvester  Wadsworth  in 

England 

July  begins 

July  i.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     baptized  William  y'son  of 
Ben.  Swett 

—  5.     .     .     .     advised  to  take  care  of  my  health   which  seems  to 

be  very  much  broken 

—  6.     This  day  in  Study  Mr.  Eliot 3  of  Kellingsworth  here,  advises 


1  A  further  stage  of  the  Edwards-Diggins  affair  (see  ante,  p.  37,  note).  Mr.  Edwards  since 
the  last  Council  had  charged  Mr.  Diggins  with  having  broken  the  Fifth  and  Eighth  Command- 
ments, and  called  a  church  meeting  for  his  trial.  The  church  sustained  Mr.  Diggins  and  pro- 
nounced him  not  guilty.  From  this  verdict  Mr.  Edwards  and  two  of  the  church  members 
dissented,  and  called  a  Council  to  judge  in  the  matter.  The  Council  met  as  above  and  decided  in 
favor  of  the  Church.  The  Council,  however,  commended  Mr.  Edwards  for  his  "tenderness,  prud- 
ence, faithfulness  and  caution  "  in  the  matter  ;  suggested  if  the  pastor  had  scruples  not  to  be  over- 
come that  Mr.  Diggins'  friends  cease  to  press  for  his  admission  to  the  Covenant ;  and  that  Diggins 
better  apply  to  some  other  minister  and  church  for  the  privileges  which  Mr.  Edwards  did  not  see 
his  way  to  accord.  With  this  two-sided  "  Conclusion  Late  at  night,"  the  Council  broke  up.  But 
the  trouble,  as  we  shall  see,  was  not  over. 

4  The  vigorous  administration  of  the  Consociation  System  established  by  law  in  Connecticut 
had  led  to  a  conception  of  Congregationalism  little  different  from  Presbyterianism.  Ministers  and 
churches  alike  forgot  the  principles  of  the  first  founders  of  Congregationalism  on  the  soil,  and  even 
forgot  the  name  except  to  contemn  it.  They  called  themselves  Presbyterians,  in  contrast  with  the 
few  churches  here  and  there  (East  Windsor  whose  troubles  we  have  had  occasion  to  notice  among 
them)  which  were  disposed  to  adhere  to  what  was  called  the  Strict  Congregational  Way,  i.  e.,  such 
churches  clung  to  the  Cambridge  Platform  of  1649,  ant^  denied  the  binding  authority  of  the  Saybrook 
System.  So  Mr.  Wadsworth  called  the  Southington  church,  now  struggling  into  existence,  a  Presby- 
terian church  ;  just  as  Dr.  Strong,  seventy-five  years  later,  used  to  print  on  the  title-page  of  the  ser- 
mons preached  by  him  in  the  First  Church  in  Hartford,  "  By  Nathan  Strong,  Pastor  of  the  North 
Presbyterian  Church." 

3  Rev.  Jared  Eliot,  born  in  Guilford,  Nov.  7,  1685  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1706 ;  ordained  at  Killing- 
worth  (now  Clinton)  Oct.  26,  1709  ;  trustee  of  Y.  C.  from  1730  till  his  death  ;  an  "  Old  Light  "  in 


4O  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1739 

me  to  take  a  vomit  once  in  awhile  of  Ipacacuania,  and  also 
bitters,  as  gentian,  camamile  &c  in  powder  or  steeped  in  wine, 
and  also  ye  yolk  of  an  egg  in  cyder  sweetened  with  honey,  once 
twice  or  3  times  a  day,  according  as  ye  Catarrhous  humour 
affects  me 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Mark  6.  20.     Laboured 

under  some  difficulty     .     .     . 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached    .    .    .    this  day  John  Ripenear  was 

buried 

—  1 8.     .     .     .     recd  visits  &c.     Mr.  Russell  of  Stepney,  Mr.  Lock- 

wood  &  Mr.  Brainard. 

—  19.     this  day  sent  a  letter  to  Boston  by  Mr.  Whitman  to  go  to 

England  to  Doctr.  Doddridge 

—  20.     An  awfull  spectacle  I  saw  this  day  of  a  man  reduced  to 

misery,  deprived  of  sense,  speech  and  afflicted  with  constant 
convulsive  motions,  all  occasioned  by  ye  excessive  use  of 
strong  drink  as  I  supposed. 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  at  y"  new  chh    .    .    .    and  P.M. 

at  my  own  meeting  .  .  .  went  thro'  my  work  with  less 
difficulty  than  at  some  other  times,  thanks  be  unto  god  for  it. 

—  23.     This  day  went  to  Farmington  saw  my  friends  well  &c.     this 

day  Jonathan  Wadsworth  died  in  a  very  sudden  manner  in  ye 
woods 

—  "       ...      Henry   Nicholson    died,   Jonathan  Wadsworth 

was  Interred. 

—  28.     This  day  heard  y4  Samuel  only  son  of  Mr.  Daniel  Edwards 

of  New=Haven  died  on   thursday  last  of  ye  throat  distemper. 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached      .      .      .     Says  Mr.  Chillingworth  I 

wo'd  in  ye  pulpit  use  none  as  enemies  but  ye  devil  &  sin 

August  begins. 

August  i.  Went  to  Weathersfield  &c.  Wee  had  much  talk  about 
Conversion,  and  how  far  and  what  an  unconverted  man  can 
and  w*  he  cannot  do,  but  with  what  darkness  and  confusion  do 
wee  talk  of  these  things 

—  4.     nothing  very  remarkable  occurs.     Saving  that  Jery  Allen  ' 


theological  sympathies  ;  practiced  physic  ;  reputed  an  eminent  botanist ;  member  of  the  Royal 
Society ;  four  times  Moderator  of  the  General  Association  ;  published  several  addresses  and  ser- 
mons among  which  was  the  Election  Sermon  of  May  n,  1738  ;  died  April  22,  1763,  in  the  78th  year 
of  his  age.  See  Dr.  Gurdon  W.  Russell's  Early  Medicine^  etc. 

1  Probably  Jeremiah  Allen  of  Boston,  son  of  Rev.  James  Allen  of  the  First  Church  in  that 
place,  and  at  one  time  Treasurer  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony.  Apparently  his  "  push  "  for  the 
employment  he  sought  was  not  successful. 


1739]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  41 

came  to  Town  to  push  for  to  be  employed  in  ye  affairs  of  this 
Governm'.  at  ye  Court  of  great  Brittain 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     felt  but  little  if  anything  of 

weakness  at  my  breast. 

—  7.     This  day  went  to  Farmington   to  visit   my   friends,     bro't 

with  me  from  thence  sixty  eight  pounds  ten  shillings  in  Money 
recd.  of  Elisha  Lewis,  and  delivd.  up  his  bond 

—  10.     This  day  took  Physick,  viz.  Ipacacuana  &c.     Study,  rainy 

toward  night     .     .     . 

—  ii.     this  day  I  think  John  Burkitt  first  came  to  live  with  me 

—  12.     Lords  day  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Morison1  preached  for  me  A.M.  .  .  . 

—  13.     This  day     .     .     .     preparing  for  my  Intended  Journey  &°. 

This  day  by  an  Express  from  Boston  ye  Governm'  is  Informed 
y*  Commissions  of  Marq  and  Reprisal  are  granted  upon  ye 
Spaniards. 

—  14.     This  day  set  out  on  a  Journey  for  my  health  in  Company 

with  Mr.  Colton,  travelled  as  far  as  New-Haven,  the  throat 
distemper  prevails  there. 

—  15.     proceeded  on  my  Journey  as  far  as  Fairfield. 

—  16.     proceeded  on  my  Journey  as  far  as  Norwalk. 

—  17.     Proceeded  as  far  as  Rye,  and  understanding  y1  ye  Small  pox 

was  in  our  Rhoad,  viz.  at  East  Chester,  N.  Y.  thot  it  not  safe 
to  proceed  and  so  returned  ye  same  day  as  far  as  Horsneck. 

—  1 8.     This  day  came  to  Norwalk. 

—  19.     Lords  day  tarried  at  Norwalk.     Mr.  Dickinson "  preached 

A.M.  from  Matt.  5.  6.  and  P.M.  I  preached  from  John  i.  29. 

—  20.     This  day  went  to  Reading.     Sent  a  letter  to  ye  Gov.  and 

another  to  my  wife  pr.  Mr.  Colton. 
-  22.     This  day  came  to  Fairfield.     Lodged  at  Mr.  Hobarts. 

—  23.     This  day  came  to  New  Haven  lodged  at  Mr.  Pundersons.3 


1  Rev.  Evander  Morrison,  a  brother  of  Doctor  Norman  Morrison  the  physician  (ante  p.  10 
note);  born,  educated,  and  ordained  in  Scotland.  He  apparently,  from  the  frequency  of  his  preach- 
ing for  Mr.  Wadsworth,  lived  in  Hartford  without  stated  charge,  saving  that  in  1750  he  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  newly  organized  church  in  West  Simsbury  (now  Canton)  a  relationship  which 
continued,  however,  only  about  eleven  months.  During  this  pastoral  experience  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Hartford  North  Association,  and  his  name  appears  several  times  in  its  records.  During  a 
part  of  1748  he  supplied  Mr.  Woodbridge's  troublesome  pulpit  at  East  Hartford  for  which  he  was  paid 
twenty-six  pounds.  In  1752  he  was  in  New  Jersey  preaching  at  the  Forks  of  Delaware.  He  minis- 
tered in  several  churches  under  care  of  the  Newcastle  and  Abington  Presbyteries  as  late  as  1756, 
but  returned  to  Connecticut  and  died  in  Hartford,  Jan.  30,  1762. 

4  Rev.  Moses  Dickinson,  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  Dec.  12,  1695  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1717  ;  preached 
several  years  in  New  Jersey  ;  installed  at  Norwalk  Nov.  i,  1727 ;  Fellow  of  Y.  C.  from  1758  to  1777; 
a  Controversial  writer  and  publisher  of  several  tracts  on  current  discussions ;  a  moderate  "  New 
Light"  in  sentiment.  He  died  May  i,  1778,  aged  82  years. 

3  Probably  Mr.  Thomas  Punderson,  the  father  of  Rev.  Ebenezer  Punderson  (Y.  C.  1726)  who 
just  before  this  date,  after  a  ministry  of  some  years  in  Groton,  had  taken  orders  in  the  Episcopal 
Church. 

6 


42  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1739 

—  24.     This  day  Came  Home,  found  my  family  well  and  under 

Comfortable  circumstances :  I  desire  with  my  whole  heart  to 
give  god  thanks  for  it. 

—  26.     Lords  day  Mr.  Campbell1  preached  for  me     .      .      .     This 

day  7  years  since  I  came  to  live  in  Hartford. 

—  29.     This  day  paied  to  Billy  Keith  ^7.  12'.  6'.  money.    Nothing 

remarkable  occurs 

September  begins 

Sept.  i.     ...     its  reported  y*  a  frenchman  is  seized  at  Albany 
on  suspicion  of  being  a  spy 

—  2.     Lords  day  I  preached   A.M:  from  Joh.  16.  22.  and  admin- 

istred  ye  Sacrament  and  Sir  Webster a  preached  for  me  in  ye 
afternoon  from  rev.  3.  30. 

—  8.     Mr.  Sergeant  and  wife  came  here  at  night. 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M:     .     .     .     and  P.M.  Mr.  Sergeant 

preached  for  me  from  psal.  139.  7. 

—  ii.     This  day  went  to  New  Haven,  a  prosperous  Journey  by  the 

will  of  god 

—  12.     Commencement  at   New=Haven.      Rector  Williams3  re- 

signed his  post 

—  13.     This  day  spent  at  New=Haven. 

—  15.     This  day  went  to  Long  Island,     arrived  at  Southold  about 

midnight 

—  16.     Lords  day     kept  Sabbath  at  Southold     Mr.  Az.  Horton4 

preached 


1  Probably  Rev.  James  Campbell  who,  there  is  reason  to  believe,  was  a  friend  of  Rev.  Evan- 
der  Morrison,  and  like  him  a  Scotsman.  He  was,  not  far  from  this  time  of  his  preaching  for  Mr. 
Wadsworth,  under  great  mental  depression  thinking  he  had  never  been  converted  ;  but  under  the 
persuasions  of  Whitefield  and  Tennent  came  out  from  his  gloom,  and  preached  at  various  places  in 
New  Jersey  and  in  South  Carolina.  He  seems  to  be  last  mentioned  in  the  records  of  Orange 
Presbytery  in  1780. 

3  Rev.  Elisha  Webster,  b.  at  West  Hartford,  Nov.  12,  1713 ;  grad.  at  Y.  C.  1738  ;  ordained 
Oct.  i,  1740,  at  Canaan.     He  was  an  "  Old  Light"  in  the  divisions  attending  the  Great  Awakening 
period  and  consequently  obnoxious  to  Bellamy  and  the  other  New  Light  leaders  in  his  vicinity,  who, 
there  is  some  evidence  to  suppose,  fomented  disturbances  in  his  parish  resulting  in  his  dismission  in 
1746  or  47.     He  died  at  Southington  Jan.  29,  1788.     The  title  "  Sir  "  applied  to  him  by  Mr.  Wads- 
worth  was  a  customary  designation  of  a  man    who  had  taken  his  bachelors  degree  at  college  ;  per- 
haps oftenest  applied  to  those,  however,  looking  to  the  clerical  profession,  between  their  graduation 
and  their  ordination. 

8  Rev.  Elisha  Williams,  born  at  Hatfield,  Mass.,  Aug.,  1694  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1711 ;  engaged 
several  years  in  civil  affairs  at  Wethersfield  ;  ordained  at  Newington,  Oct.  17,  1722  ;  transferred  to 
the  Rectorship  of  V.  C.  1726  ;  resigned  office  Sept.,  1739 ;  resumed  duties  of  civil  life  ;  was  judge 
of  the  Superior  Court,  colonel  of  a  regiment,  etc. 

4  Rev.  Azariah  Horton,  born  at  Southold,  L.  I.,  March  20,  1715  :  grad.  Y.  C.  1735  ;  preached 
,  occasionally  till  1741,  when  he  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  to  labor  as  a  missionary 

among  the  Indians  on  the  South  Shore  of  L.  I.     Subsequently  he  was  settled  pastor  at  Madison, 
New  Jersey,  and  died  March  27,  1777. 


i/39l  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  43 

-  17.     This  day  went  to  the  Marishes,1  saw  my  wifes  grandmother 

and  other  relations 

—  18.     This  day  spent  at  Marishes 

—  19.     This  day  went  to  Southampton 

—  21.     This  day  went  to  Southold. 

—  22.     This  day  came  to  guilford  &  from  thence  to  Durham 
-23.     Lords  day  at  Durham  Mr.  Chauncy2  preached  A.M.    .    .    . 

and  P.M.  I  preached  from  heb.  u.  16. 

-  24.     This  day  I  returned  home  thro'  the  good  hand  of  my  god 

upon  me  &  found  my  family  well     Laus  Deo. 

—  25.     This  day  paied  to  Dan".  Brown   31  pound   which  with   9 

pounds  paied  by  my  wife  a  few  daies  ago  makes  40  pound.      6 
pound  I  borrowed  of  Sister  Hooker.3 

—  28.     This  day  is  Seven  year  since  my  ordination,      alas   how 

little  good  I  have  done,     may  I  be  encouraged  and  strength- 
ened to  do  more  for  ye  future. 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached     .      .     .     found  some  difficulty  in 

speaking  in  ye  afternoon  tho'  not  any  thing  of  ye  weakness  at 
my  breast  y'  I  have  sometimes  bin  troubled  with 

October  Begins. 
Oct.  5.     Mr.  Bull  of  Westfield  here. 

—  6.     Jno.  Burkitt  went  from  hence  — 

-7.  Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  .  .  .  Wid:  Abigail 
Wadsworth  admitted  to  Communion  with  ye  chh.  Tho.  Welles 
Junr.  made  Confession  .  .  .  and  owned  ye  Coven',  and 
Tim:  his  son  was  baptized. 

-  ii.     This  day  recd.  a  letter  from  Mr.  Prout  giving  an  accu  y'  ye 

Govern'  is  sick  at  his  house,  I  pray  god  to  Look  upon  and  heal 
him 

—  14.     Lords  day  Mr.  Morison  preached  for  me  from  psal.  4.  3.  pr. 

totum        cloudy  cool  weather 

—  19.     Mr.  Welstead  and  Lady  here 

-21.  Lords  Day  I  preached  .  .  .  felt  nothing  of  ye  weakness 
about  my  breast  y*  I  have  bin  in  sometime  past  troubled  with. 

—  24.     This  day  some  study.     Mainly  spent  in  Secular  business, 

its  a  burden   to    me.     This   day   received   a   letter   from   ye 
Govern1". 


1  Moriches,  a  parish  in  the  township  of  Brookhaven.  Mrs.  Wadsworth's  mother,  Madam 
Talcott,  was  a  Howell  from  Long  Island. 

1  Rev.  Nathaniel  Chauncey,  born  in  Hatfield,  Mass.,  Sept.  21,  1681  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1702  ; 
preached  some  years  at  Durham  before  his  ordination  Feb.  7,  1711 ;  Fellow  of  Y.  C.  from  1746  to 
i7S2 ;  preached  the  Election  Sermon,  May  14, 1719,  and  again  May  9,  1734  ;  an  "  Old  Light "  in  the 
controversies  of  his  time  ;  died  Feb.  i,  1756. 

3  Eunice  Talcott  wife  of  Capt.  Nathaniel  Hooker. 


44  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1739 

—  26.     paied  Daniel  Brown  nine  pounds  in  money. 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  at  ye  new  chh    .    .    .    Laboured 

under  considerable  difficulty  with  weakness  at  my  breast. 

—  30.     .     .     .     in  conversation  at  Mr.  Coltons  he  mentioned  y*  Mr. 

Woodbridge '  my  predecessor  observed  y*  ministers  sons  (of  a 
liberal  education  I  suppose)  seldom  prospered  in  merchandize 

Novembr.  begins. 
Nov.  i.     Mr.  Hun  from  Boston,     nil  remarkable 

—  2.     This  day  Mr.  Hun  set  out  for  Home 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Col.  3.  n.  and  administred 

ye  Sacrament  and  P.M.  from  psal.  197.  19.  20 

—  8.     Day  of  publick  thanksgiving  throughout  Connecticutt.     I 

preached  from  psal.  48.  i.     a  cool  day  nil  remarkable 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.    .    .    .    P.M.  Mr.  Burr  preached 

for  me     .     .     . 

-  13.     This  day  went  to  Windsor  to  ye  Examination  of  Mr.  Jonth. 

Marsh  in  order  to  his  ordination. 

-  14.     This  day  not  very  profitably  spent  &c.  this  day  I  suppose 

is  my  birth  day 

—  15.     .     .     .     This  day  died  suddenly  Mary  Richards 

—  16.     This  day  Study  &c.     Mary  Richard  Interred,  very  cold 

—  1 8.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     laboured  under  great  diffi- 

culty in  speaking  by  reason  of  a  defluxion,  as  I  suppose,  of 
Rheum  out  of  my  head  upon  or  into  my  windpipe 

—  19.     This  day  little  study.     Mr.  White  of  Bolton  here. 

—  22.     This  day     ...     at  night  James  Shepherd  and   Sarah 

Hopkins  were  Joined  in  marriage 

—  25.     Lords  day  preached  pr.  totum  from  i  pet.  4.  3.     Laboured 

under  some  difficulty  in  ye  afternoon   with  a  tickling  in   my 
throat,     pleasant  weather 

December  begins. 
Dec.  2.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Zech.  8.  28. 

—  4.     Went  to  Farmington. 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  New  Hartford  where  Mr.  Jonathan  Marsh 

Junr8  was  ordained  Pastor  of  y*  Town.     Revd.  Mr.  Whitman  of 
Hartford  began  with  prayer,  the   Revd  Mr.  Colton  preached 


1  Rev.  Timothy  Woodbridge,  born  in  the  parish  of  Barford  St.  Martins  in  Wiltshire,  England; 
baptized  Jan.  13,  1656 ;  grad.  H.  C.  1675  ;  began  to  preach  in  Hartford  as  early  as  1682 ;  ordained 
Nov.  18,  1685;  continued  pastor  till  his  death,  April  30,  1732,  aged  seventy-six  years  and  three 
months ;  having  served  the  church  in  a  ministerial  capacity  forty-eight  years  and  eight  months.  He 
was  a  Fellow  of  Y.  C.  from  its  original  foundation  till  his  death,  and  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Saybrook  Synod ;  preached  the  Election  Sermon,  May  12,  1698. 

a  A  nte,  p.  28,  note. 


1740]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  45 

from  i  cor.  4.  i.  2.  ye  Revd  Mr.  Whitman  of  Farming-ton  prayed 
and  gave  ye  charge,  ye  Revd  Mr.  Marsh  of  Windsor  made  ye 
next  prayer,  and  I  gave  ye  right  hand  of  fellowship. 

—  8.     .     .     .     this  day  heard  y*  brother  Matt.  Talcot  arrived  at 

New  London  ye  5  Instant  thanks  be  to  god  for  it 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  at  ye  N  chh     .     .     .     I'm  in- 

formed y4  Mr.  Jno.  Austin  Joined  to  Mr.  Whitmans  chh  this 
day 

—  ii.     .     .     .     heard  of  ye  sudden  death  of  Mr.  Welsted  who  died 

abl.  5  o'clock  last  night  this  night  ye  Comtee.  of  ye  Society 
reckoned  with  me.  due  to  me  40.  o.  6. 

-  12.     This  day  went  to  Middletown  to  Mr.  Welsteds  funeral. 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  heb.  12.  9.  and  P.M.  from 

rom.  8.  16.     .     .     . 

-  18.     Society  meeting  at  night.     Mr  Rector  Clap  here  at  night, 

but  went  to  Weathersfield 

-  20.     This  day  died  ye  wife  of  John  Knowles 

-  21.     this  day  paied  Daniel  Brown  ^10.  ios  money  this  day  Mr. 

Wm.  Reed  here 

—  22.     this  day  was  decently  Interred  ye  wife  of  John  Knowles 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached    .    .    .    baptized  Hannah  y*  daughter 

of  Dan11  Butler.  This  was  ye  Last  Sabbath  I  preached  in  ye 
State  House. 

—  24.     This  day  ye  Joiners  finished  our  meeting  house. 

—  30.     Lords  Day.     Haggai  2.  9.     I  preached  on  this  text  all  day. 

this  was  the  first  Sabbath  wee  met  in  ye  New  Meeting  House.1 
Thanks  be  to  god  for  y*  favour,  may  we  there  have  much  of 
ye  presence  of  Christ  to  render  it  truely  glorious:  from  this 
time  I  began  again  to  number  my  sermons. 

January  begins.     1739/40 

Jany.  i.     This  day  went  to  Symsbury  to  ye  Association 

—  2.     This  day  a  lecture  at  Symsbury  I  preacht  from  Jam.  i.  21. 

very  cold  weather 

—  3.     Rector  Clap  here  at  night. 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  i.  Kings  18.  21.     Mr. 

Whitman  being  sick  his  people  were  at  our  meeting 

—  8.     This  day  study  &°.     Mr  Russell  of  Stepney  here  &e. 

1  This  was  the  only  discourse  of  Mr.  Wadsworth's  ever  printed.  It  is  entitled  :  "  Christs 
Presence  the  Glory  of  an  House  of  Publick  Worship,  a  Sermon  from  Haggai  ii.  q.  Preached 
at  Hartford,  December  30.  1739.  At  the  Opening  of  a  Ne^u  Meeting-House."  N.  Lond.,  1740, 
p.  28. 


46  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1740 

-  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum     .     .     .     and  administred 

ye  Sacrament  and  baptized  Susannah  ye  daughter  of  Mr.  Wm. 
Keith. 

-  14.     This  day     ...      at  night  at  ye  House  of -Mr.  George 

Wyllys  I  set  my  hand  as  a  witness  to  ye  last  will  of  Capt. 
Cyprian  Nickols. 

-  16.     This  day  study.     Mr.  Colton  here,     at  night  wounded  my 

knee 

—  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  gen.  6.  3.  and  bap- 

tized Mary  ye  daughter  of  John  Turner  Junr. 
-22.     nil  remarkable  save  y*  I  was  very  lame  and  at  night  in  ex- 
treme pain. 

-  23.     This  day  paied  Dan".  Brown  of  Infield  60  pounds  in  money 

on  ace"  of  my  2  bond  .     .   , 

-  24.     This  day  study  &c.     Mr.  Marsh  of  Windsor  here. 

-  26.     This  day  study  &c.     nil  remarkable  occurs  save  y*  I  saw  ye 

proc:  of  war  with  Spain  published  Oct.  23.  1739. 

—  27.     Lords  day,  being  Lame  I  tarried  at  home,     fair  weather 

—  29.     This  day  my  people  sledded  wood  for  me. 

February.     Month  begins 

Feby.  2.     This   day   in   study,      fair    weather   and    severe    cold. 
Candlemas 

—  3.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Neh.  9.  30  at  ye  new  chh. 

and  P.M.  at  my  own  meeting  from  luk.  12.  21.     felt  dull  and 
indisposition,  ye  Lord  forgive  ye  imperfection  of  my  services. 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  ye  East  Side  to  Mr.  Woodbridge,  saw  Mr. 

Whitefields  Sermons1 

—  7.     This  day  study  &c.     uncle  James  here,     y"  Councel  sat  to 

hear  N:  London  &°. 

—  8.     This  day     .     .     .  'a  person  comes  to  object  ag*.  S:  N:  own- 

ing the  Coven*,  charges  her  with  slander  &c.     god  direct  me 
to  a  prudent  and  faithfull  discharge  of  my  duty  in  this  affair 

—  9.     Ye  difficulty  ab*.  S.  N.  owning  ye  Coven*,  seems  to  increase. 

I  pray  god  to  direct  &  assist  me  to  discharge  my  duty  faith- 
fully,    quiet  ye  minds  of  those  fierce  and  wrathful  people 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.      .     .     .     P.M.  Mr.  Morison 

preached  for  me  from  Josh.  24.  15. 

—  ii.     This  day  in  ye  forenoon  had  ye  hearing  of  a  troublesome 

affair ;  may  I  be  directed  in  y*  discharge  of  my  duty  in  it 


1  The  first  mention  in  this  Diary  of  the  name  of  a  man  whose  appearance  in  Connecticut 
soon  after  was  to  be  the  occasion  of  consequences  seriously  affecting  not  only  Mr.  Wadsworth's  but 
all  his  ministerial  associates'  subsequent  history. 


1740]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  47 

—  15.     This  day  in  Study,  but  troubled  with  the  afore  mentioned 

controversy.  I  pray  god  to  help  me  to  see  clearly  ye  way  of 
my  duty,  help  me  to  direct  ye  parties  controverting  in  y'  way 
of  yr  duty,  and  help  ym  to  hearken  to  counsel  &  submit  to  my 
direction. 

-  16.     This  day  in  Study,     more  moderate  weather,  under  some 

trouble  agn  ab'  ye  unhappy  Controversy  &c.  I  thank  god  y'  he 
has  given  me  a  strength  to  bear  it,  I  pray  y'  god  would  help  me 
to  give  ym  good  advice,  and  ym  grace  to  hearken  to  it. 

—  17.     Lords  day  Mr.  Morison  preached  for  me  A.M.  and   Mr. 

Pratt1  P.M.  ye  Lord  make  ym  useful  men.     I  pray 

god  y1  ye  affair  y*  has  cost  me  so  much  trouble  in  ye  week  past 
may  be  comfortably  issued,  quiet  and  compose  y"  minds  of  ye 
persons  in  Controversy  persuade  ym  I  pray  to  submit  to  Coun- 
cel  and  advice. 

—  18.     .     .     .     Col"1.  Morris  here  with  a  Commission  of  Admiralty 

&°. 

—  20.     .     .     .     went  to  Farmington. 

—  21.     This  day  went  into  ye  woods  to  view  land  &c 

—  22.     This  day  returned  from  Farmington.     Again  troubled  with 

ye  former  difficult  affair.  I  pray  god  to  direct  and  assist  me 
in  it 

—  23.     .     .     .     troubled  with  ye  old  quarrel,  o  y*  god  wo'd  grant 

y*  it  might  be  comfortably  Issued 

-  24.     Lords  day  I  preached     ...S[...]N[...J 

made  publick  confession  of  ye  sin  of  fornication  and  owned  ye 
covenant 

—  27.     This  day  Stafford  Comtee  here  for  advice.     P.M.  visited  &c. 

I  pray  God  preserve,  protect  and  bless  me 

—  28.     .     .     .     O  y4  god  in  his  providence  would  quiet  ye  minds 

and  inspire  peace  into  ye  hearts  of  such  of  my  people  as  are 
at  variance 

March  begins 

Mch.  2.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  gen.  2.  3.  Mr. 
Sam"  Talcot"  owned  ye  Covenant  and  Samuel  his  son  was 
baptized 


1  Rev.  Peter  Pratt,  born  at  New  London  July  19, 1716  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1736  ;  ordained  at  Sharon 
April  30,  1740  ;  dismissed  and  silenced  on  account  of  intemperance,  Oct.  13,  1747  ;  died  at  New 
London  in  1780. 

a  Samuel  Talcott  was  Mr.  Wadsworth's  brother-in-law.  He  grad.  Y.  C.  1733  ;  a  man  of  public 
spirit ;  in  1746  Lt.  Col.  of  a  regiment  raised  for  the  Canada  expedition,  and  in  1755  Col.  of  a  regi- 
ment raised  to  go  against  Crown  Point.  He  died  March  6,  1797. 


48  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1740 

—  Superior  Court  opened  here.     Mr.  Woodbridge  1  Mr.  Marsh  & 

Mr.  Williams  here. 

—  5.     little  remarkable.    Cool  weather.    Courts  &c  are  troublesome 

-  6.     Study  &c.     Mr.  Clap,  Steel  &  Woodbridge  here.     Snow  in  ye 

night 

—  7.     Study,     much  interrupted  by  visitors,  visiting  &c.     cold  at 

night 

—  8.     .     .     .     heard  y*  Admiral  Vernon  had  taken  Porto  Bello 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting   .   .   . 

and  P.M.  at  my  own     .     .     .     baptized    Joseph    Flagg  and 
Sarah  Nickols 
10.     This  day  visiting  ye  sick     .     .     .     Mr.  White  here  at  night 

-  12.     The  storm  of  hail  or  snow  continues  all  this  day  also.    Mr. 

White  went  from  hence  in  ye  morning,  Mr.  Woodbridge  here 
at  night 

-  13.     .     .     .     Stafford  advised  to  Lay  yr  Case  before  ye  Asson.  &c. 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Eccles.  5.  i.  and  P.M: 

from  gen:  2:  15.     more  moderate  weather 

-  17.     This  day  visiting  ye  Sick  &c.     warm  weather,  brothr.  John 

here 

-  1 8.     .     .     .     recd.  letter  fm  Mr.  Woodbridge,  wrote  letters  to 

Mess™.  W.  C.  M.  &  B.  to  attend  the  Assocn.  next  week  at  W.a 
Brothr  lewis 3  and  sister  here  at  night 

-  19.     Br.  L.  went  home  &  Sisf.     this  day  paied  Mr.  Sloan  14.  16. 

o.     10  pound  in  money,  &  4.  16.  by  his  rate 

-  23.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment    .     .     .     baptized  Benjamin  ye  son  of  Benjamin  Richards 

-  24.     .     .     .     at  night  had  a  severe  fit  of  ye  cholick,  thanks  be 

to  god  y*  has  relieved  me 

—  25.     This  day  went  to  ye  Assoc".  at  Windsor     .     .     .     Mr.  Pain* 

and  Stafford  Comtee.  agreeing,  ye  Assoc".  advised  to  a  Councel 


1  Rev.  Timothy  Woodbridge  of  Simsbury,  oldest  child  of  Rev.  Timothy  Woodbridge  of  the 
First  Church  of  Hartford,  baptized  Oct.  3,  1686;  grad.  H.  C.  1706  ;  ordained  at  Simsbury,  Nov.  13, 
1712  ;  continued  in  office,  with  some  parish  disturbances  owing  to  quarrels  about  meeting-house 
location  and  division  of  the  Society,  till  his  death  Aug.  28,  1742.  He  preached  the  Election  Sermon 
May  10,  1739,  which  does  not,  however,  appear  ever  to  have  been  printed.  He  was  accounted  an 
"Old  Light." 

a  Mr.  Wadsworth  was  at  this  time  Scribe  of  the  Association.  But  the  probability  is  that  the 
meeting  was  a  meeting  of  the  Standing  Committee  spoken  of  ante,  p.  25,  note,  rather  than  of 
the  Association  itself,  as  its  records  bear  no  evidence  of  a  meeting  at  the  time  specified.  The  per- 
sons to  whom  Mr.  Wadsworth  wrote  were  Revs.  Timothy  Woodbridge,  Benj.  Colton,  Jonathan 
Marsh,  and  Hezekiah  Bissell. 

8  Elisha  Lewis  of  Farmington,  who  married  Ruth,  Mr.  Wadsworth's  sister.  Ruth  was  born 
April  14,  1711  ;  married  April  18,  1739;  died  Oct.  15,  1776. 

4  See  post  under  date  of  June  12. 


1740]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  49 

wc  is  to  be  Cond.  at   Stafford  on  ye  2d.  Tuesday   in   May.     re- 
turned home 

-27.  .  .  .  paied  20  pound  to  Geo.  Pynchon  on  ace"  of  Dan". 
Brown 

-  28.     .     .     .     this  day  ye  wife  of  Richard  Burnham  who  died  yes- 

terday was  Interred 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached      .      .      .     Sarah  Bidwell  made  con- 

fession of  &c.  and  her  child  Sarah  was  baptized. 
April  i.     April  begins  with  a  great  shower  of  snow,     it  snowed  y* 
greater  part  of  the  day        freemans  meeting  this  day  Mr.  Col- 
ton  preached  from  i  Sam.  12.  23.     Deputies  Capt.  Marsh  and 
Mr.  Buckingham. 

—  4.  Study  &°.  .  .  .  heard  uncomfortable  news  from  Long 
Island  with  respect  to  enthusiasm  prevailing  there  among 
some  ministers  may  it  be  stopt. 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  gen.  4.  3.  4.  5. —  bap- 

tized Samuel  y*  son  of  Moses  Ensign.     Cool  weather. 

—  8.     Uncle  W™.1  &  brothr  Lewis  here:  County  Court  began 

-  9.     a  publick  fast.     I  preached  A:M:  from  Ezk.  16:  49.  and  Mr. 

Whitman  P:M:from   Isai.  3:   22:  pleasant  weather,  will  god 
accept  our  fasting. 

-  12.     This  day     .      .      .      Mr.  Burr  of  Worcester  here,  this  day 

heard  y*  Aaron  Cadwell  died  ye  25*  of  feb.  last  in  Barbadoes 

-  13.     Lords  day  I  preached:  A:  M:  from  rom.  13.  14.  at  Mr.  Whit- 

mans meeting  and  P:M:  at  my  own  from  gen.  5.  24.     o  my 
leanness.     ye  Lord  of  his  infinite  mercy  direct  and  keep  me 

-  14.     This  day  went  to  Farmington     .     .     .     heard  y'  Mr.  Bull 

of  Westfield  died  last  Saturday. 

-  15.     This  day  returned  from  Farmington     The  Govern',  has 

orders  from  home  to  Inlist  volunteers  &°.  for  ye  west  Indies 
and  to  proclaim  war  with  Spain 

-  1 8.     This  day  ye  Kings  declaration  of  war  against 

Spain  was  published " 

-  20.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Stayed  ye  chh  and  chose 

Capt.  Cook  a  messenger  &c. 


1  William  Wadsworth,  born  at  Farmington,  June  22,  1671  ;  Deputy  for  Farmington,  Justice, 
etc.;  died  1751. 

a  The  king's  proclamation  of  war  against  Spain  having  been  made,  the  Assembly  at  its  follow- 
ing sessions  in  May,  June,  and  July  made  provision  for  raising  troops  for  an  expedition  against  the 
West  Indies.  The  troops  were  to  be  under  the  general  command  of  Col.  Spotswood,  till  joined  by 
the  regular  troops  from  Great  Britain,  the  whole  then  to  be  under  the  command  of  Lord  Cathcart. 
They  were  to  be  paid  by  the  king  ;  to  share  in  the  booty  ;  sent  back  home  unless  they  desired  to 
settle  elsewhere  ;  their  local  officers  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor  and  commissioned  by  the 
king,  and  five  pounds  premium  was  offered  for  enlistment  up  to  five  hundred  men. 
7 


So  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1740 

-22.     This  day  went  to  Windsor  to  ye  Councel  there,  came  to  no 
conclusion1  &c. 

-  23.     This  day  ye  parties  declining  to  come  into  such  a  method 

as  ye  Councel  tho't  w'd  issue  ye  controversy,  nothing  done 
&c.  y*  by  advice  &c.  ye  matter  hopefully  accomodated.  returned 
home 

— *  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  &  P.M:  from  gen.  6.  n.  12.  13. 
warm  weather,     nil  remarkable  occurs. 

-  30.     This  day  reading,  visiting  &°.     went  to  Weathersfield  &c. 

heard  y*  Mr.  Whitefield  is  arrived  at  New  York. 

May  begins 

May  i.     This  day  study  &c.     Cool  windy  weather 
—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  Hosea  10.  12. —  warm 
pleasant  weather  tho'  something  cloudy 

-  8.     This  day  election,  Gov.  &  Dep:  Govern',  as  in  yg  year  past. 

3  new  assistants  viz.  Mr.  Fitch,  Trumble  and  Huntington 
remarkably  cold  weather 

-  ii.     Lords  day  Mr.  Webster  preached  for  me  A:  M:  from  Eccles. 

8.  8.  and  Mr.  Morison  P.M:  from  luk.  12.  5. 

—  14.     Some  Study,  visiting,  visited  &c.     the  trustees  here 

-  15.     Study  &c.     little  remarkable 

—  1 6.     This  day  study  &c.     nil  remarkable  occurreth 

—  17.     This  day  study  &c.     nil  remarkable 

—  22.     This  day  study  &c.     nil  remarkable     recd  7  pounds  money 

of  uncle  James  for  books  &c. 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  at  ye  new  chh.  from  heb.  n. 


1  A  further  stage  of  the  East  Windsor  difficulty.  Mr.  Edwards  had  refused  to  abide  by  the 
acquittal  of  Mr.  Diggins  by  the  church  (ante,  p.  37,  note),  and  declined  to  accord  to  him  the  privi- 
lege of  seeking  church  fellowship  elsewhere  as  recommended  by  the  last  Council.  Mr.  Diggins, 
therefore,  made  formal  charges  of  maladministration  against  the  pastor.  The  pastor  called  a 
Council.  To  this  council  the  church  propounded  four  questions  for  advice : 

1.  Concerning  the  pastor's  power  to  appoint  the  messengers  of  the  church. 

2.  Concerning  the  pastor's  power  to  negative  the  action  of  the  church. 

3.  Concerning  the  pastor's  power  to  determine  what  complaints  should  come  before  the 
church.  4.     The  case  of  Joseph  Diggins. 

The  first  three  of  these  questions  went  to  the  root  of  the  Windsor  difficulties,  but  the  Council 
declined  to  consider  them  at  all,  though  professing  willingness  to  give  advice  on  the  Diggins'  case 
only.  Meantime  the  strained  relations  of  the  church  and  pastor  had  been  such  that  for  nearly 
three  years  no  Lord's  Supper  had  been  administered.  The  advice  of  the  present  Council,  thus 
limited,  was  apparently  of  little  consequence. 

As  to  the  future  progress  of  the  controversy,  it  appears  that  Mr.  Diggins,  at  the  importunity 
of  his  brethren,  withdrew  his  complaint  against  Mr.  Edwards;  and  on  Aug.  n,  1741,  eighteen  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  church  addressed  Mr.  Edwards  a  letter,  regretting  that  the  Council  had 
not  given  them  the  advice  they  asked  ;  deploring  the  opposition  of  opinion  between  pastor  and  peo- 
ple on  questions  of  church  order,  but  asking,  nevertheless,  that  the  Lord's  Supper  might  be  admin- 
istered. The  pastor  acceded  to  the  request  and  "propounded  the  Sacrament";  the  disturbed 
condition  of  things  manifested  itself  in  various  ways,  however,  for  several  years  to  come. 


1740!  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  51 

16.  and  P.M.  from  Tit.  2.   14  at   my   own      Laboured   under 
weakness  &  difficulty  of  speaking. 

—  26.     This  day  study,  visiting  &°.     a  child  of  Joseph  Barnards 

buried. 

—  28.     .     .     .     paied  to  Mr.  Sloan  ,£16.  is.  yd  due  to  ballance. 

-  29.     This  day  received  a  letter  from  the  Rev'1.  Mr.  Field  Sylves- 

ter   Wadsworth 1   at    Burton    in    England    dated    Feby.    n. 
1739/40. 

June  Begins 

June  i.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M:  from  tit.  2.  14.  and  P.M:  from 
heb:  13.  6.     ye  general  assembly  and  South  Society  present 

—  3.     This  day  Assoc".  met  at  Mr.  Coltons  nil  remarkable  occurs. 

—  4.     This  day  a  lecture  at  West  Hartford   Mr.  White  preached 

from  Joh.  4.  19. 

—  5.     This   day   ye   general    Assembly   adjourned    without    day. 

Gideon  Merrills  and  Mary  Biggelow  married  at  night 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  prov.  22.  6.     Laboured 

under  great  difficulty  in  speaking 

—  9.     This  day  went  to  Toland. 

—  10.     This  day  to  Stafford  to  a  Councel    Mr.  Edwards  chose 

moderator 

—  ii.     This  day  in  Councel  at  Stafford,  uncomfortable 

-  12.     This  day  in  ye  same,  ye  articles  of  Complaint  ag*.  Mr.  Pain 

not  found  ye  Councel  advised  Mr.  Pain  to  resign  his  office,  he 
consents.2 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  heb.  9.  14.  at  my  own 

meeting  and  administred  ye  Sacrament  and  P.M:  at  Mr.  Whit- 
mans meeting  from  Jam.  i.  21. 

-  1 8.     Lecture  this  day  at  Mr.  Woodbridges  meeting  &c.     Mr.  Ed- 


1  Rev.  Field  Sylvester  Wadsworth  was  a  dissenting  minister   who  about  this  time  became  an 
assistant  to  his  father,  Rev.  John  Wadsworth,  in  care  of  a  "  chapel  "  in  Sheffield,  Yorkshire.    A  Mr. 
Field  Sylvester  had  in  1700  laid  the  "  first  stone  "  in  the  foundation  of  the  Chapel,  and  Mr.  John 
Wadsworth,  who  married  Mr.  Sylvester's  daughter  Rebecca,  became  its  minister  in  1714  (succeed- 
ing Rev.  Timothy  Jollie)  and  continued  in  its  charge  till  1744.     Rev.  Field  Sylvester  Wadsworth, 
who  obviously  got  his  name  from  his  maternal  grandfather,  became  associated  with  his  father  in 
1740,  and  remained  after  him  till  1758.     The  Chapel  is  now  Unitarian. 

2  The  Stafford  Church  and  Society  had  been  some  time  in  discord  with  their  minister,  Rev. 
Seth  Payne.     Mr.  Payne  was  born  in  Braintree,  Massachusetts,  Jan.  16,  1701-2.     He  grad.  Y.  C. 
1726,  and  was  ordained  at  Stafford  Aug.  7,  1734.     Difficulties  soon  arose  and  grave  charges  were 
brought  against  him.     The  Council  which  met  as  above  did  not  find  the  charges  sustained,  but,  as 
is  seen,  advised  his  resignation.     He  took  the  advice  and  resigned  July  24th,  but  continued  to  reside 
in  Stafford.     He  tried  to  collect  arrearages  of  salary   by  legislative   aid,  but  failed.     In   1745   he 
became  Episcopalian  and  offered  to  go  to  England  for  Orders  if  the  Society  for  Propagating  the 
Gospel  would  send  him.     The  encouragement  appears  not  to  have  been  afforded.     He  is  supposed 
to  have  died  in  Stafford  early  in  1753. 


52  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1740 

wards  preached  from  psal.  119.  59.     heard  y'  Brothr.  Matt  is 
arrived  at  N.  London  &  y'  Colnl.  Spotswood l  is  dead  at  Amboy 

—  19.     .     .     .     Mr.   Nott,  parsons2  and   gaylord 8  here.      Bettys 

birth  day 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Laboured  under  consider- 

able difficulty  in  ye  afternoon  thro'  faintness  and  weakness 

—  23.     .     .     .     nil  remarkable.     Uncle  James  here  this  day. 

-  26.     .     .     .     an  Express  with  fuller  news  relating  to  ye  Expedi- 
tion &c.     Moses  Griswold  &  Mary  Nickols  married. 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     baptized  Dick  a  negro  boy 

of  Capt.  Nickols,  had  a  Contribution  &c. 

July  begins 
July  4.     This  day  in  study,     nil  remarkable  occurs. 

—  5.     This  day  in  study.     nil%emarkable 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Simeon  ye  Son 

of  Sam".  Graham  and  Susannah  ye  daughter  of  Mercy  Gilbert 

—  8.     This  day  catechising  &°.     ye  General  assembly  of  ye  Colony 

met  here  this  day. 

—  ii.     This  day  Study  &c.     nil  remarkable,   the  general  assembly 

broke  up. 

—  12.     .     .     .     ye  British  lieutenants  arrived  in  ye  forenoon4 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:  M:  for  Mr.  Whitman  and  Mr.  Mor- 

ison  for  me.     &  P:M:  at  my  own  meeting 

—  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:     .     .     .     and  Mr.  Morison 

from  rom.  2.  4.  5.  &  baptized  his  brothers  child.5 

—  24.     .     .     .     Mr.  Eastabrook  *  here 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M  from  phil.  3.  13.  14  and  P.M: 

from  Col.  i.  13.     Laboured  under    .     .     . 


CXL.L1VC    IdUUlCia    111    L11C    VTlCdL    fl  W  eUVClilll^    pCiJUU.          A 113    UGdl.ll    Wd9   WU    J  Uiy     iy,     A//V. 

3  Rev.  William  Gaylord  of  Wilton  ;  born  at  West  Hartford,  Nov.  29,  1709 ;  grad.  Y.  C. 
ordained  at  Wilton,  Feb.  14,  1732-3.     He  was  an  earnest  "  New  Light  "  ;  a  man  of  kindly  spirit, 
and  died  in  office  Jan.  2,  1767. 

*  Assisting  in  raising  and  drilling  troops  for  the  Spanish  expedition. 
6  Jennet,  daughter  of  Dr.  Norman  Morrison. 

•  Rev.  Hobart  Estabrook  then  preaching  as  a  candidate  in  Salisbury,  Mansfield,  and  else- 
where.    He  was  born  at  Canterbury,  Dec.  17,  1716 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1736 ;  licensed  to  preach  May  16, 
1738;  ordained  at  Millington  Nov.  20,  1745  ;  died  there  in  office  Jan.  28,  1766,  ss.  49. 


1740]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  53 

—  29.     This  day  nil  remarkable.     Jno.  ye  son  of  Hez.  Collier  died. 

Mr.  White  and  Lockwood  here. 

—  30.     .     .     .     our  child  Eunice  sick  and  hath  bin  for  some  daies 

with  ye  measles. 

-  31.     This  day  Study  but  little,  visits  recd.  &c.     Mr.  T.  Wood- 

bridge  of  Hatfield,  and  Mr.  Jno.  Woodbridge  of  Sutt.     a  pleas- 
ant and  refreshing  shower  at  night. 

August 
Aug.  i     ...     part  of  the  afternoon  spent  in  prayer  with  Capt. 

Seymour 

—  3.  Lords  day  I  preached  .  .  .  P.M.  from  2  cor:  13.  5.  at 
Mr.  Whitmans  meeting.  Rebecca  ye  daughter  of  Elisha  Pratt 
was  baptized  pr.  Mr.  Whitman 

—  4.     This  day  no  study.     Visiting  &c.     uncle  Thomas  here 

—  8.     this  day  the  soldyers  y  are  going  upon  the  expedition  into 

ye  Spanish  West  Indies  went  from  this  Town  in  order  to  go  to 
New=Haven  where  y    are  to  embark 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  rom.  12.  12.  pr  totum.    Edward 

Cadwell  Junr.  owned  y   Coven*. 

—  13.     .     .     .2  of  our  children  sick  with  y   measles,  I  pray  god 

heal'm 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment,    baptized  Ruth  ye  daughter  of  Edward  Cadwell  Junr. 

—  1 8.     Capt.  Newberry '  set  out  for  New=Haven  in  order  to  em- 

bark for  ye  west  Indies 

—  19.     This  day  went  to  Farmington,  my  uncle  Hez.2  very  ill. 

—  23.     This  day  ye  muster  master  Pitcher  came  to  Town,      at 

night  died  ye  aged  Mr".Hamlin 

-  24.     Lords  day  I   preached  A.M:  from  gen.  3.   19.   at  ye  new 

meeting  and  P.M.  at  my  own  from  luk.  24.  34  and  baptized 
Timothy  ye  son  of  Caleb  Spencer 

-  25.     .     .     .     M".  Hamlin  Interred 

-  27.     This  day  went  to  Farmington.     My  uncle  Hez.  something 

better  &c. 

-  28.     This  day  went  over  y*  River,  about  an  affair  not  very 

comfortable 


1  Capt.  Roger  Newbury  of  Windsor,  born  June  4,  1706 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1726:  Deputy  in  General 
Assembly  eleven  sessions ;  commanded  one  of  the  Connecticut  companies  in  the  West  Indian  ex- 
pedition ;  present  at  the  repulse  of  Admiral  Vernon  at  Carthagena  in  April,  1741 ;  died  on  the  return 
voyage  May  6th  of  the  same  year. 

a  Hezekiah  Wadsworth  of  Farmington,  born  Dec.  18,  1682,  died  unmarried  Oct.  20,  1740.  The 
dates  of  the  birth  of  Mr.  Wadsworth's  brothers  mentioned  in  these  notes  are  from  a  memorandum 
in  Mr.  Wadsworth's  handwriting;  they  differ  to  some  extent  from  those  found  in  the  "Wadsworth 
Genealogy." 


54  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1740 

—  30.     this  day  died  Capt.  Thomas  Seymour  72,     ...      died 

also  a  child  of  Edward  Cadwell  Junr. 

—  31.     Lords  day  I  preached      .      .     .      and  baptized  Peter  and 

Bilhah  servants  of  Capt.  Jos:  Cook.     Capt.  Seymour  Interred 

September  begins 
Sept.  3.     Study  &°.     Mr.  Hobart  &  wife  here  to-day  nil  remarkable 

—  4.     Study.     Went  to  Court  to  give  an  Evidence  &°.     nil  remark- 

able, save  y*  this  day  heard  y*  Lord  Cathcart  Sailed  &c.  on  the 
26.  of  July  last 

—  7.     Lords  day  I  preached  from   2  Cor.  6.  18.  pr.  totum     rainy 

weather 

—  8.     this  day  went  to  New-Haven,     a  comfortable  Journey.    Laus 

Deo. 

—  10.     Commencement  at  New-Haven  21  Batchellors  commenced. 

about  13  or  14  masters  the  first  commencement  y'  Rector  Clap 
presided. 

-  ii.     This  day  returned  home  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 

-  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  at  ye  new  meeting     ...    & 

P.M:  at  my  own.     Laboured  under     . 

* 

—  1 6.  This  day  went  to  Farmington.    My  uncle  Hez:  not  well. 

—  18.  This  day  ye  widow Steel  Interred. 

—  19.  This  day    .    .    .    went  to  Farmington  to  see  my  uncle  Hez. 

—  21.  Lords  day  I  preached    .    .    .    baptized  Jerusha  ye  daughter 

of  Daniel  Spencer 

-  24.     This  day  went  to  Farmington,  my  uncle  Hez.  something 

better 

-  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  tit.  2.  14.  at  ye  new  meet- 

ing and  P.M:  at  my  own  from  2  cor.  4  18.     nil  remarkable 

—  30.     Visiting  &c.     reading.     Mr.  Flaggs  House  raised. 

October  begins 

Oct.  i.     Mr.   Hobart  &c  here  from  Boston.      Burr  also.     Joseph 
Barnard  died  aged  86  or  89  as  they  inform  me 

—  2.     This  day     .     .     .     Mr.  Whitman  married1 

—  3.     Some  pious  and  refreshing  conversation  this  day  with  B. 

and  L. 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     cool  weather  and  something 

rainy 


1  Rev.  Mr.  Whitman  married  Abigail  Stanley,  daughter  of  Col.  Nathaniel  Stanley,  Jr.,  son 
of  Nathaniel  Stanley,  a  man  of  distinction  in  Hartford  affairs.  Her  grandmother  was  Anna  Whit- 
ing, daughter  of  Rev.  John  Whiting,  fourth  pastor  of  the  First  Church  and  first  pastor  of  the 
Second  in  Hartford. 


I/4O]  WADSWORTll'S    DIAKY  55 

—  6.     Saw  a  copy  of  letter  from  Roland  to  Noble,  giving  an  ac- 

count of  wonders  wro't  by  his  preaching  &c.  but  alas  w*  are  yy. 

-  7.     This  day  ye  association  met  at  my  House,  discussed  various 

matters  &c 

—  8.     association  Lecture  here  Mr.  Whitman  of  F:  preached  from 

gen.  3.  8.  9.     a  good  sermon. 

—  9.     This    day   in   business    &c.      Conversation    writt    &c.      how 

lamentable  it  is  that  ye  ministry  is  grown  into  such  Contempt. 
What  are  ye  reasons  of  it  ?  W'.  are  ye  meanes  by  wc.  ye.  honour 
of  it  may  be  recovered  ' 

-  ii.     This  day  in  study,     at  night  received  a  letter  from  I).  Col- 

man  concerning  Mr.  Whitefield,  and  Mr.  Smiths "  sermon  on  his 
character,  preaching  &°. 

-  12.     Lords  day  I  preached  and  administred  ye  Sacrament    .    .    . 

and  P.M:  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting  from  act.  3.  22 

-  13.     Writt  a  letter  to  send  to  Doctor  Doddridge. 

—  15.     This  day  went  to  Farmington,  my  uncle  Hez:  much  worse. 

-  16.     Came  from  Farmington  left  my  uncle  Hez:  in  a  weak  low 

state     may  god  Look  upon  and  save  him 

-  18.     This  day  in  Study,  o  that  I  might  be  more  inflamed  with 

ye  love  of  god  and  a  more  ardent  desire  after  ye  Salvation  of 
Souls 

—  19.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum    ...    at  Evening  Comes 

the  Sorrowfull  news  y4  uncle  Hez.  is  not  likely  to  Live  till 
morning,  he  died  between  12  and  one  in  ye  58*  year  of  his 
age,  may  this  providence  be  sanctified  to  me 

-  21.     This  day  went  to  Farmington,  my  uncle  Hez:  Interred,     a 

sorrowfull  day:  at  night  ye  famous  Mr.  Whitefield  came  to 
Town.3 


1  Apparently  the  "decay  of  the  pulpit  "  was  a  theme  which  troubled  people  in  1740  as  much 
as  in  i8qo  and  probably  with  about  as  much  reason. 

a  Rev.  Josiah  Smith,  born  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  in  1704 ;  grad.  H.  C.  1725  ;  ordained 
at  Boston  July  n,  1726,  but  performed  his  ministerial  service  mainly  in  Bermuda  and  Charleston. 
When  Mr.  Whitefield  was  denied  admission  to  the  Episcopal  pulpits  in  Charleston  Mr.  Smith  pub- 
lished the  sermon  above  referred  to  on  the  "Character,  Preaching,  etc.,  of  the  Rev.  George  White- 
field  impartially  represented  and  supported,"  1740.  Mr.  Smith  died  in  Philadelphia  in  October, 
1781. 

3  Rev.  George  Whitefield,  having  completed  a  preaching  tour  through  the  Middle  and 
Southern  Colonies,  arrived  at  Newport  on  Sept.  4th.  He  preached  at  Boston  with  triumphant  suc- 
cess. He  held  meetings  on  the  Common,  and  in  the  adjacent  region  about  Boston  as  far  as  Marble- 
head  ;  sometimes  as  many  as  twelve  or  sixteen  a  week.  No  such  prostration  of  a  community  before 
one  man,  and  he  a  gospel  preacher  of  twenty-five  years  of  age,  has  ever  beside  been  known  in  New 
England.  Leaving  Boston  Monday,  October  i3th,  "  kissed  "  by  Governor  Belcher,  whom  he  left 
bathed  in  tears,  he  preached  his  way  from  point  to  point  in  Massachusetts,  till,  on  Friday,  October 
i7th,  he  reached  Northampton.  Sunday  evening  he  left  Northampton  accompanied  by  Jonathan 
Edwards  who  attended  him  as  far  as  East  Windsor  to  the  house  of  Jonathan's  father,  Rev. 


56  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [T74o 

-  22.     This  day  Mr.  Whitefield  preached  in  y*  forenoon  to  a  vast 

Concourse  of  people  here  from  rom.  14.  17  verse,  and  in  ye 
afternoon  at  Weathersfield  from  2  Cor.  5.  lat:  part  of  ye  14. 
verse,  old  things  are  past  away  &c.  w*  to  think  of  ye  man 
and  his  Itinerant  preachings  I  scarcely  know:  ye  things  wc  I 
know  not  I  pray  god  to  teach  me,  wherein  I  am  in  error  I  pray 
god  to  discover  it  to  rne,  wherein  I  have  embraced  ye  truth  I 
pray  god  y*  I  might  hold  it  fast  to  ye  end. 

-  23.     This  day  thoughtfull '  &c.      I  would  pray  y'  I  might  be 

saved  from  mistakes  and  be  directed  in  ye  way  of  truth. 

-  24.     This  day     .     .     .     recd.  a  letter  from  my  uncle  James  at 

New  Haven. 

-  26.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  i  pet.   i.  6:  and  P.M: 

from  Eph.  5.  14.     I  pray  god  to  bless  ye  word  y'  I  have  spoken 

0  y4  some  one  at  least  might  be  awakened  and  some  edified 
by  it. 

-  27.     Writt  a  letter  to  &c.  visited  sick,     had  some  edifying  Con- 

versation with  two  ministers  at  my  house.  O  Lord 

show  unto  me  ye  way  of  truth 

—  30.     Study  &c.     great  are  my  perplexities  and  troubles  o  y*  god 
would  appear  for  my  help  and  fulfill  his  good  word  unto  me 
on  wc  he  has  caused  me  to  hope 
Nov.  1740 

Timothy.  On  the  way  Mr.  Edwards  cautioned  Mr.  Whitefield  about  his  habit  of  declaiming 
against  the  ministers  who  did  not  at  once  fall  into  line  with  his  methods  as  unconverted  men ;  a 
caution  which  Mr.  Edwards  thought  was  rather  unfavorably  received.  He  preached  on  the  way 
from  Northampton  on  Monday  at  Westfield  and  Springfield,  Mass.;  on  Tuesday  at  Suffield  and  at 
East  Windsor.  On  Wednesday,  Oct.  22d,  he  was  at  Hartford  and  Wethersfield.  From  Wethers- 
field  he  went  via  Middletown  and  Wallingford  to  New  Haven,  preaching  at  each  place  by  the  way. 
Thence  after  holding  several  services  at  New  Haven,  he  departed,  preaching  as  he  went,  through 
Milford,  Stratford,  Fairfield,  and  Norwalk  to  Rye  and  New  York. 

1  It   is  not  strange  (quite  aside  from  any  questions  of  ecclesiastical  order  or  of  religious 
methods)  that  Mr.  Wadsworth  and  all  the  other  ministers  should  have  been  made  "thoughtfull" 
by  such  an  apparition  among  them  as  George  Whitefield.     The  ministers  of  New  England  at  the 
period,  with  very  few  exceptions,  preached  from  closely  written  manuscripts,  which  must  generally 
have  been  held  in  the  hand,  and  often  close  to  the  eyes,  and  with  few  or  no  graces  of  manner  or 
elocution.     Here  suddenly  appeared  among  them  a  man  whom  nature  had  endowed  with  some  of 
the  greatest  gifts  of  an  orator ;  a  splendid  physique,  a  marvelous  voice,  a  vivid  dramatic  power, 
and  one  who  seemed  to  pour  forth  his  torrent  of  seemingly  unpremeditated  speech  without  fatigue 
or  study.     It  was  a  novel  experience  to  listen  to  such  a  man.     New  England  congregations  had 
never  heard  the  like ;  New  England  ministers  were  startled  by  the  phenomenon.     Most  of  the 
accounts  present  the  picture  of  a  man  who  at  any  time  and  anywhere  would  have  commanded 
applauding  crowds.     Yet  it  is  but  fair  to  say  there  was,  certainly,  another  side  to  the  picture.    Aside 
from  his  censoriousness,  his  uncharitableness  in  judging  men  as  good  as  himself  as  "unconverted", 
his  overweening  confidence  in  his  own  ability  to  know  the  mind  of  the  Lord  and  the  Lord's  judg- 
ment respecting  men,  there  were,  sometimes  at  least,  drawbacks  to  the  worthiness  of  his  style  of 
speech,  even  as  a  Christian  orator,   which  have  been  often  too  entirely  forgotten  in  the  general 
acclaim  which  accompanied  and  has  followed  him.     Rev.  Jonathan  Mayhew  of  Boston  (a  certainly 
competent  though  doubtless  not  a  sympathetic  critic)  said  "  I  heard  him   [Whitefield]  once,  and  it 
was  as  low,  confused,  puerile,  conceited,  ill-natured,  enthusiastic  a  performance  as  I  ever  heard." 


1740]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  57 

Nov.  i.  .  .  .  ye  Gov:  returned  from  New-Haven.  recd.  a  letter 
from  my  uncle  James.  Another  from  Thomas  Wadsworth  of 
Long  buckby.  blessed  be  ye  Lord  for  all  Instances  of  his 
favour  to  me 

—  2.     Lords    day   I    preached    per    totum    from    Ezek.    38:    n. 

Laboured  under  considerable  difficulty  in  speaking. 

—  3.     This  day  not  well     .     .      .      this  day  died  Richard  Lord  of 

Weathersfield 

—  5.     This  day  a  publick  Thanksgiving  throughout  Connecticutt. 

preached  from  phil.  3.  i.  at  night  married  James  Bicknel  of 
Ashford  and  Deborah  Cook  of  Hartford 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  at  the  N:  M:  from  2  thes.  2.  14. 
and  P.M.  Mr.  Morison  preached  for  me  from  numb.  22.  6. 

-  12.     This  day  returned  from   Farmington  found  my  family  well 

Laus  Deo.  how  Good  art  thou  o  God  and  how  gracious.  ye 
Councel  sat  in  this  Town 

-  13.     .     .     .     Mr.  Beauchamp  died  this  day 

-  14.     This  day  Study.      .     .      .      this  I  suppose  is  my  birth,     o 

monument  of  mercies         has  god  spared  me  thus  long  w' 

little  fruit  have  I  borne 

—  15.     This  day  study  &c.     Mr.  John  Beauchamp,  who  died  ye  13"" 

Instant  was  this  day  interred 

-  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Luk  15.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7. 

cold  weather  nil  remarkable 

-  23.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:  M:  from  luk.  15.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.  and 

P.M.  from  luk.  14.  n.  18  .  .  .  o  y1  God  would  bless  his 
word  tho'  sown  in  much  weakness 

—  24.     rainy  weather,      this  day  interred  a  daughter  of  Daniel 

Bunce  wc  died  on  Saturday  Last 

-  25.     This  day  in  visiting  ye  sick  &°.     John  Shepherd  had  a  son 

born,  her  safe  delivery  apprehended  an  immediate  answer  to 
prayer,  may  my  faith  be  strengthened 

-  26.     .     .     .     ye  general  assembly  met  here,  little  done 

-28.     .     .     .     nil  remarkable  occurs.     Saving  yl  there  is  a  very 
great  flood  of  ye  great  river,     rarely  one  so  big  in  ye  Spring 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:     .     .     .     and  P.M.  Mr.  Mori- 

son  preached  for  me  ...  I  spake  with  more  ease  and  feel 
better  in  health  to  day  than  I  have  done  upon  ye  Sabbath  for 
some  time 

December  1740 
Dec.  3.     Study  &°.    Mr.  Whitefields  Journal  &  Sermons  read  to  day. 

8 


58  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1740 

a  great  flood,  bigger  than  has  bin  for  30  years  past  ye  General 
assembly  adjourned. 

—  7.     Lords  day  I  preached     ...     a  very  rainy  tempestuous 

day 

-  8.     This  day  reading  &c.     Whitefields  Sermons,  Laws  Christian 
perfection. 

—  9.     This  day  went  to  paquannack  to  ye  ordination  there 

—  10.     Mr.   Tudor1   ordained.      ye  Revd.   Mr.   Marsh  of  Windsor 

preached  from  Eccles.  12:  4  The  Revd.  Mr.  Edwards  prayed 
&  gave  ye  Charge  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Colton  made  ye  next  prayer  and 
ye  Revd.  Mr.  Whitman  of  Hartford  gave  ye  Right  hand  of 
fellowship. 

—  ii.     This  day  returned  home,  cold  weather,  found  my  family 

well  Laus  Deo  Dealt  with  a  friend  for  his  fault,  o  yl  god 
would  convince  &  reform  him 

—  12.     Uncle  James  here  to-day. 

—  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  i  Joh  2.  15.     a  very 

cold  day. 

—  16.     Uncle  Thomas  here  at  night.     Snowy  at  night. 

—  18.     Uncle  Thomas  went  from  hence  in  ye  afternoon:  2:45.    mav 

he  have  a  prosperous  Journey  home. 

—  21.     Lords  day  preached  and  administred  ye  Sacrament.     .    .     . 

Laboured  under  great  difficulty  in  speaking,  o  y4  god  would 
appear  for  my  help  and  give  me  health 

—  23.     .     .     .     finished  a  letter  to  Thomas  Wadsworth  at  Long- 
buckby 

—  24.     This  day  visiting  ye  sick  &c.     a  refreshing  Conversation  in 

ye  evening  with  one  of  my  people 

—  25.     Went  to  Weathersfield  &c.     nil  remarkable,  save  y'  Isabel 

Spencer  departed  this  life 

—  26.     Isabel  Spencer  Interred  in  ye  evening.     Study. 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M:  at  the  new  meeting  from  i  Joh. 

3.  9.  &  P.M.  from  heb.  9.  27.  at  my  own  meeting 

—  29.     This  day  visitingy"  sick  &c.    Conversation  with  a  zealous  &c. 

—  31.     Met  with  the  famous  Mr.  Whitefields  life  and  read  it.     but 

what  is  it. 


1  Rev.  Samuel  Tudor,  born  in  Windsor  March  8,  1704-5 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1728 ;  preached  awhile 
in  Goshen,  N.  Y.,  then  in  Guilford,  and  was  ordained  as  above  Dec.  10,  1740,  at  Poquonock  Society 
in  the  northwestern  part  of  Windsor  from  which  Rev.  John  Woodbridge  had  lately  gone.  He  died 
Sept.  21,  1757. 


1740  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  59 

January  begins.     [1741] 

Jany.  i.     .     .     .     a  new  year  begins     may  I  be  more  invigorated 
with  the  principles  of  a  new  life 

—  4.     Lords  day  preached  per  totum  from  rom.  10.  3.     ye  wife  of 

Nath11.  Goodwin  Interred 
—  6.     This  day  my  people  sledded  wood  for  me,  very  cold  weather 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.-  &  P.M.  from  rom.  10.  21.     felt 

dull  and  heavy  and  indisposed  in  ye  forenoon,  better  afternoon, 
pray  god  to  bless  what  was  spoken  agreeable  to  his  will 

—  14.     Returned  from  Farmington,   found   my  family  safe  Laus 

Deo.     visited  ye  aged  Wid.  Phelps 

—  18.     Lords  day  preached  per  totum  from  Ezek.  18.  31.  Laboured 

under    .     .     . 

—  21.     This  day  reading,  visiting  &c.     at  night  went  to  a  religious 

meeting  where  I  found  myself  greatly  refreshed ' 

-  22.     Study  &c.     a  lecture  in  ye  afternoon  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meet- 

ing, he  preached  from  2.  pet.  3.  18. 

-  24.     This  day  in  Study,     finished  my  preparations  before  night. 

a  great  Comfort  to  be  seasonably  prepared  for  the  Sabbath,  I 
pray  god  I  may  always  be  so. 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  rom.  13:  ii.  Laboured 

under    .     .     . 

—  26.     This  day  reading  Evans  on  ye  Christian   temper  &c.  &°. 

Snowy  stormy  day 

—  28.     .     .     .     Nabbys  birth  day.     Laus  Deo. 

—  31.     Certain  news  of  ye  arrival  of  Lord  Cathcart  with  English 

fleet  at  the  West  Indies 

February  begins 

Feby.  i.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     went  thro'  my  work  with 
great  difficulty 

—  3.     This  day  Stormy,     no  association  met  according  to  appoint- 

ment    .     .     . 

—  4.     Lecture  Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  heb.  4.  13.     very  cold, 

I  was  forced  to  leave  the  meeting  house  by  reason  of  great 
pain  &c. 

—  7.     This  day  indisposed,  heard  y1  Lord  Cathcart  is  dead3 


1  See  Mr.  Wadsworth's  statement  about  the  origin  of  these  meetings  later  tinder  date  of  May 
31.  They  appear  to  have  been  neighborhood  gatherings  for  conference  and  prayer.  See  i8th  of  Feb- 
ruary following,  et  seq. 

8  Lord  Cathcart  died  Dec.  20,  1740.  His  death  was  probably  a  turning  point  in  the  fortunes 
of  what  proved  to  be  a  most  disastrous  and  humiliating  expedition  from  which  scarce  one  in  ten 
came  home  alive. 


60  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

—  8.     Lords  day  not  able  to  go  out  Mr.  Whitman  preached  for  me 

A:  M.  and  Mr.  Morison  P.M. 

—  9.     The  Emperor  of  Germany  and  Zarina  of  Muscovy  both  died 

in  Octobr.  Last 

—  10.     This  day  writing  &°.     Mr.  Russel  here,  yesterday  ye  Gov- 

ernour  recd.  a  letter  from  Admiral  Vernon. 

—  12.     This  day  cold,     better  as  to  my  indisposition,     o  y*  god 

would  direct  me  in  ye  difficulties  in  my  work,  and  especially  in 
directing  dark  and  wandering  Souls 

—  13.     o  Lord  have  mercy  upon  me  in  how  much  darkness  and 

difficulty  have  I  spent  this  day,  Send  forth  ye  light  and  help  of 
thy  holy  Spirit  into  my  heart 

—  14.     This  day  in  study,  better  in  health  of  body  and  I  hope 

something  better  in  mind.  .  .  .  this  or  ye  night  following 
dreamt  yl  I  saw  Capt.  N-b-r-y  unhappy 

—  15.     Lords  day  Mr  Newel '  preached  A.M.     .     .     .     and  P.M.  I 

preached  myself  from  Eph.  4.  i.  and  thank  god  that  enabled 
me  to  preach  with  so  much  ease  and  freedom. 

—  17.     This  day  visited  and  discoursed  a  poor  mulatto  who  seemed 

to  be  Concerned 

—  1 8.     This  day  not  well ;  some  edifying  Conversation,  present  in 

ye  evening  at  John  Shepherds  at  y*  religious  meeting  there. 

—  19.     Nil  remarkable  occurs.     ye  Govern'.  recd.  Letters  from  ye 

D.  of  New  Castle  and  from  ye  Admty.  board 

—  22.     Lords  day  preached  A:M:  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting   .    .    . 

and  P.M.  from  Isai.  55.  3.  at  my  own.     .     .     . 

—  23.     This  day    ...    nil  remarkable  occurs.     Saving  ye  lament- 

able story  of  El:  Sh:  being  delivered  of  a  child,  lays  it  to  Mr. 
M.  o  times,  o  manners 

—  26.     This  day  Consulting  &c.  about  ye  lamentable  case  of  Mr.  M: 

in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture  Mr.  Whitman  of  Farmington  preached 
.  .  .  at  night  I  married  Richard  Seymour  and  Elizabeth 
Wadsworth 

March  begins. 
Mch.  i.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Jam.  48.  and  ad- 


1  Rev.  Samuel  Newell,  born  in  Farmington  (Southington  district)  March  i,  1714 ;  grad.  Y.  C. 
1739;  just  at  this  date  studying  theology  and  probably  licensed.  His  preaching  at  this  time  and 
point  of  experience  at  Mr.  Wadsworth's  church  is  one  instance  among  many  discoverable  in  these 
notes  of  Mr.  Wadsworth's  habit  of  availing  himself  of  the  services  of  very  young  ministers  ;  perhaps 
for  their  encouragement  as  well  as  for  his  own  need.  Mr.  Newell  was  preaching  in  East  Hartford 
a  few  months  later  than  this,  but  was  not  ordained  till  Aug.  12,  1747,  at  New  Cambridge  (now 
Bristol)  where  he  continued  in  the  pastorate  till  his  death  Feb.  10,  1789.  He  was  a  "  New  Light" 
in  his  period. 


1741]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  61 

ministred   ye   Sacrament      went    thro'    my   work    with    great 
difficulty     .     .     . 

-  2.     This  day    .    .    .    dreamt  at  night  I  saw  S.  O.  from  ye  West 

Indies,  runaway  &c. 

—  4.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  went  to  visit  Mr.  Wood- 

bridge,  found  him  hopefully  mending 

—  5.     This  day     .     .     .     went  to  Weathersfield  to  a  lecture,  Mr. 

Backus  preached  from  Col.  i.  19. 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  rom.  13.  12.  per  totum,  baptized 

Elizabeth  daughter  of  Mr.  Sam".  Talcot 

—  9.     This  day  drew  a  proclamation  for  a  fast,1  visited  &°. 

—  ii.     This  day  kept  a  fast  I  preached  A:M.  from  Joel   i.  18.  19 

.     .     .     and  Mr.  Whitman  P.M.     .     .     .     o  y  God  would  hear 
our  cry  and  relieve  us 

-  12.     .     .     .     Mr.  Pomroy"  preached  from  luk.  u  at  Mr.  Whit- 

mans meeting,     this  day  I  paied  Dan".  Brown  56  pounds  in 
money  on  ace",  of  my  bond  and  Jos:  Skinner  ^5  for  wheat 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:       .       .      .      at  Mr.  Whitmans 

meeting   and    P.M:     ...     at    my    own.      Laboured    under 

-  19.     This  day  Study  &c.     cool  weather         what  is  to  come  I 

know  not 

-  20.     Study,     under  great  perplexity,     o  y'  god  would  direct  me 

to  a  text  for  tomorrow 

-  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:  M.  from  John  6.  44  and  P.M:  from 

Eph.  5.  6.     Abig:  Graham  made  Confession    ...    &  owned 
ye  Covenant 

-  24.     This  day   study  &c.  preached  at  night  at  a  young  mens 

meeting  at  Madam  Woodbridges.3 

-  25.     This  day     .     .     .     some  young  people  here  to  discourse 

about  ye  great  affairs  of  yr  Souls 

—  26.     paied  £S.  ios.  o  to  Daniell  Brown  indorsed   it  on  ye  bond. 


1  Doubtless  the  proclamation  for  the  Public  Fast  issued  by  his  father-in-law,  the  Governor, 
and  observed  on  the  8th  of  April  following.  The  fast  spoken  of  on  March  gth  (the  day  after  this 
entry)  was  plainly  a  local  one,  observed  by  the  churches  uniting  in  it  of  their  own  motion,  as  was 
a  not  unfrequent  custom  at  the  period. 

3  Rev.  Benjamin  Pomroy,  born  in  Suffield,  Nov.  19,  1704;  grad.  Y.  C.  1733;  ordained  at 
Hebron,  Dec.  16,  1735.  An  active  sympathizer  with  Whitefield  and  the  new  measures ;  according 
to  Rev.  Absalom  Peters  "a  most  thundering  preacher  of  the  new  light  order"  ;  one  of  the  trustees 
of  Dartmouth  College,  from  which  institution  he  received  the  degree  of  D.  D.  in  1774.  He  died  at 
Hebron  Dec.  22,  1784,  aged  80  years.  There  will  be  occasion  to  refer  to  him  hereafter. 

3  This  meeting  of  "  young  men  "  at  the  house  of  the  widow  of  the  old  pastor  indicates  a  form 
of  religious  effort  not  as  modern  as  some  have  supposed;  as  will  also  a  "boys"  meeting  to  be 
noticed  a  little  later. 


62  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

Parmenas  King  received  it.  at  night  preached  at  Mr.  Churches 
from  i.  King:  18:  21.  ye  great  river  continues  froze.  Yester- 
day horses  passed  over  on  ye  Ice  and  this  day  men  passed  over 
on  foot. 

—  27.     .     .     .     John  Andrews  died. 

—  28.     This  day  Study  &c.  Mr.  Lamb1  here  in  ye  afternoon.     John 

Andrews  Interred  at  night 
-  29.     Lords  day   Mr.  Lamb  preached  A.M.  from  Joh.  7.  37  and 

P.M-.  from  act.  10.  43.     pleasant  weather 

—  31.     This  day  little  done,     how  heavily  do   I  drive,  o  y'  god 
would  give  me  health,  strength  &c. 

April  begins 

Apl.  i.     This  day  little  study.     Mr.   Brainard2  here,  preached  at 
night  at  a  meeting  at  ye  State  House 

—  2.     ...     a  lecture  ye  afternoon  at   Mr.  Whitmans  Meeting 

house.     Mr.  Lockwood  preached  from  psal.  119.  60. 

—  3.     This  day  indisposed  &c.     at  night  privately  discoursed  and 

reproved  T.  T.  for  his  Intemperance,  hope  and  pray  y'  it  may 
be  to  good  effect. 

—  5.     Lords  day  Mr.  Burr  of  Worcester  preached  for  me.     .     .     . 

P.M.  I  preached  for  Mr.  Whitman.  ...  This  day  admin- 
istred  ye  Sacrament  and  Richard  Goodman,  Uiostheus 
Humphrys,  Samuel  Andrews,  Mary  Butler,  Dorothy  Skinner, 
Hannah  Skinner,  Hannah  Shepherd  and  Sarah  Shepherd  were 
admitted  to  full  Communion  with  ye  chh. 

—  6.     Little  Study,     at  night  spent  some  time  at  a  meeting  of 

little  boys,  prayed  with  ym,  and  read  a  discourse  to  ym  from 
those  words  in  2  Epist.  Joh.  4.  they  behaved  with  reverence 
and  decency 

—  8.     a  day  of  publick  fasting  &  prayer,  A:M:  I  preached  from 

Jer.  5.  25.  and  Mr.  Whitman  P:M:  from  Joel  2.  12.  13 

—  9 nil  remarkable  save  a  Story  y4  Admiral  Vernon 

has  destroyed  16  frenchmen  of  war.     .     .     . 

—  12.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Joh:  6.  44.     Laboured 

under  .  .  .  Susanna  Gross  &  Abigail  Benton  owned  ye 
Covenant 


1  Rev.  Joseph  Lamb,  born  in  Stonington,  Conn.,  about  1790;  grad.  Y.  C.  1717;  ordained 
Dec.  6,  1717,  at  Mattituck,  L.  I.;  began  to  preach  in  the  Fourth  Church  in  Guilford  in  1735  ;  went 
thence  to  New  Jersey  ;  died  at  Barking  Ridge  in  that  State  July  28,  1749.     A  trustee  of  the  College 
of  New  Jersey  and  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  in  1748. 

2  Rev.   Neheraiah  Brainard  of  Eastbury  in    Glastonbury  ;   an  older  brother  of  Rev.   David 
Brainard  the  missionary  ;  born  at  Haddam  Feb.  20,  1712  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1732  ;  ordained  at  Eastbury 
Jan.  23,  1740;  died  Nov.  9,  1742.     An  earnest  "  New  Light." 


1741]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  63 

-  13.     This  day  freemans  meeting.     M1.  Whitman  preached  from 

rom.   13.   3.      and   Capt.   Marsh  and   Capt.   Jos:    Pitkin   were 
Chosen  Deputies. 

-  15.     This  day  under  great  concern   for  a  poor  friend,  at  night 

Mr.  Edwards'  of  Northampton  preached  a  lecture  at  Mr.  Whit- 
mans meeting  from  Matt.  11:12 

-  16.     .     .     .     Mr.  Whitman  preached  a  lecture  at  night  at  my 

meeting  from  Isai. 

-  1 8.     This  day  Study,     light  on  Mr.  Whitefields  Journal   of  his 

progress  in  New=England  &°.     Scarcely  yet  know  w'.  to  think 
of  ye  man  I  pray  God  to  direct  me  in  ye  way  of  my  duty 

-  19.     Lords  day  preached  A.M.  for  M'.  Whitman      .      .      .      and 

P.M.   from   rom.    10.   3.      Laboured   under  great  difficulty  in 
speaking  by  reason  of  a  Cough     .     .     . 

—  21.     .      .      .      Mr.   Meacham  a  of  Coventry  here,  high  water  a 

flood. 

—  22.     This  day  went  to  Wintonbury  &c  at  night  a  lecture  Mr. 

Meacham  preached  from  psal.  no.  3 

—  23.     This  day  visited  a  sick  person  &c.     met  with  some  trouble 

from  over  hot  [illegible]  o  god  Direct  me.     .    .    .     Mr.  Whee- 
lock3  preached  at  night  from  act.  7.  51 


1  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards,  son  of  Rev.  Timothy  of  East  Windsor,  and  grandson  of  Richard 
Edwards  of  the  First  Church  of  Hartford.  Born  at  East  Windsor  Oct.  5,  1703  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1720  ; 
declined  calls  to  North  Haven  and  Bolton  ;  ordained  at  Northampton  Feb.  15,  1726-7  ;  dismissed  in 
June,  1750;  removed  to  Stockbridge  in  1751;  chosen  President  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in 
1757;  inaugurated  to  that  office  Feb.  16,  1758;  died  of  inoculation  for  small-pox  March  22,  1758. 
"  The  most  eminent  graduate  of  Yale  College,  the  greatest  theologian  of  his  century,  the  ablest 
metaphysician  of  the  period  between  Leibnitz  and  Kant."  Dexter's  Yale  Graduates,  p.  218.  His 
text  at  this  lecture,  "  From  the  days  of  John  the  Baptist  until  now  the  kingdom  of  heaven  suffereth 
violence  and  the  violent  take  it  by  force,"  obviously  indicates  that  his  discourse  was  keyed  to  the 
religious  interest  now  prevailing. 

8  Rev.  Joseph  Meacham,  born  at  Enfield  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1710;  settled  at  Coventry  Oct.,  1714  ; 
died  Dec.  16,  1752. 

3  Rev.  Eleazer  Wheelock,  born  at  Windham,  April  22,  1711  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1733  ;  ordained  at 
the  North  Parish  in  Lebanon,  June  4,  1735.  An  active  participator  in  the  Great  Awakening  move- 
ment, cooperating  with  Pomroy  and  James  Davenport,  which  last  named  minister  was  his  wife's 
half-brother.  He  took  boys  into  his  house  for  instruction  (among  others  the  Indian  boy  who  became 
the  celebrated  Rev.  Samson  Occom)  and  thus  gradually  established  an  institution  which  came  to  be 
known  about  1755  as  "Moor's  Indian  Charity  School."  This  enterprise  developing  and  finding 
European  patrons,  especially  by  the  aid  of  Occom  who  went  to  England  for  the  purpose,  it  was 
deemed  best  to  expand  the  institution  to  collegiate  proportions,  and,  as  Governor  Benning  Went- 
worth  offered  a  tract  of  land  in  aid.  the  College  was  planted  in  New  Hampshire  and  named  Dart- 
mouth College  from  the  young  Earl  of  that  title  who  had  been  one  of  its  benefactors.  Dr.  Whee- 
lock, who  had  received  his  degree  from  Edinburgh  University,  was  dismissed  from  Lebanon,  April 
15,  1770,  and  removed  to  Hanover,  N.  H.,  continuing  in  the  arduous  duties  of  his  new  calling  as 
President,  Professor  of  Divinity,  and  Pastor  of  the  College  Church  till  his  death,  April  24,  1779. 
He  was  of  course  a  strenuous  "  New  Light."  He  published  successive  "  Narratives"  of  the  state 
of  his  school,  and  other  pamphlets  and  discourses,  and  left  many  manuscripts,  some  of  which  have 
been  published  since  his  death. 


64  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

-  26.  Lords  day  preached  per  totum  from  gal.  6.  15.     Laboured 

under     . 

-  29.     This  day  Laboured  under  indisposition  &c.     o  y'  god  would 

direct  and  assist  me  in  ye  way  of  my  duty  with  respect  to  Anne 
Williamson 

-  30.     This  day  indisposed.     Mr.  Colton  preached  a  Lecture  for 

me  from  rom.  9.  23.     I  pray  god  to  bless  him. 

May  begins 
May  i.     ...     Mr.  Woodbridge  here  at  night. 

—  3.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment. Laboured  under  indisposition  but  not  so  much  as  on 
ye  last  Sabbath  .  .  .  Ozias  Goodwin,  Stephen  Hopkins 
and  Anne  Humphrys  admitted  to  Communion.  Nath:  Brace, 
Abig:  Farnsworth  &  Susannah  Butler  owned  ye  Covenant. 
Jerusha  Farnsworth  and  Reb:  Barnard  propounded  to  own 
ye  Covt. 

—  4.     .     .     .     ye  wife  of  John  Brace  who  died  Last  night  buried 

this  day 
—  7.     ...     at  night  preached  a  lecture  &c  from  2  Cor.  6.  2 

-  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  psal.  68.  2 1  per  totum.    Laboured 

under  difficulties  by  reason  of  my  Cough  and  weakness,  yet 
was  enabled  to  speak  with  some  life  and  power  .  .  .  Sus: 
Gross  and  patience  Marshall  propounded  for  adm:  to  Com:  &c. 

-  ii.     This  day  visiting  &c.     ...     at  night  felt  better  more 

clear  in  my  mind  enjoyed  Comfort,  o  y*  god  would  .  .  . 
save  this  Town  my  congreg".  in  particular  from  envying  strife 
and  Confusion.1 

-  13.     This  day  a  letter  from  my  good  friend  Mr.  Sergeant  by  his 

Lieut.  Aaron*  &c.     This  day  comes  news  y*  ye  English  have 


1  This  is  the  first  distinct  expression  in  this  diary  of  apprehension  respecting  the  now  rapidly 
increasing  signs  of  strife  and  division  which  followed  the  first  stages  of  the  Great  Awakening,  and 
which  turmoiled  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  almost  every  town  in  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut. 
The  churches  and  ministers  were  divided  about  the  wisdom  of  the  new  measures  ;  about  the  signs 
of  conversion,  about  the  expediency  of  the  itineracy  which  assumed  sudden  popularity  and  some- 
times pretentiousness.     Old  landmarks  seemed  adrift ;  and  in  almost  every  congregation  (even  of 
congregations  disposed  to  cling  to  old  ways  and  to  hold  to  their  old  ministers)  there  were  found  in- 
dividuals, and  often  in  considerable  numbers,  who  denounced  established  methods  as  antiquated, 
settled  ministers  as  idle  lords  over  God's  heritage,  and  who  clamored  for  the  presence  and  the  ex- 
citement of  peripatetic  revivalists  and  the  scenes  which  often  accompanied  their  fervent  and  some- 
times tumultuous  meetings. 

2  Lieutenant  Aaron  was  an  Indian  of  the  Housatonic  tribe  by  the  name  of  Umpacheene.     In 
furtherance  of  the  mission  enterprise  among  these  Indians  Governor  Belcher,  who  was  much  in- 
terested in  the  success  of  the  endeavor,  conferred  commissions  sometime  in  1734  upon  two  of  them, 
who  were  known  respectively  as  Captain  Konkapot  and  Lieutenant   Umpacheene.     When,  later,  in 
I735i  a  church  came  to  be  formed,  and  Mr.  Sergeant  was  ordained   pastor,  these  two  Indians  among 
others  were  received  as  members,  and  baptized  with  more  familiar  names.     Capt.  Konkapot  on 


I/41]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  65 

taken  ye  forts  at  Carthagena  and  are  bombarding  ye  Town  ' 

-  14.     This  day  Election.     Gov,  Dep:  Gov:  and  assistants  as  in 

ye  year  past.  Mr.  Sol:  Williams"  preached  from  Joshua  i:  7. 
under  some  difficulty  this  day  by  reason  of  ye  Itinerant 
preachers. 

—  15.     Mr.  Mills3  preached  two  sermons. 

-  17.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M:  from  Matt.  22.  39,  and    P.M: 

Mr.  Rector  Clap  preached  for  me  from  John  3.  3.  a  good  ser- 
mon I  pray  god  to  bless  it  to  me  and  all  y*  heard  it. 

-  20.     This  day  went  to  Farmington  with  Rector  Clap 

much  Talk  and  running  after  new  preachers  in  this  Town 
to-day,  o  lord  direct  me  I  pray  and  ye  other  ministers  of  this 
Town  in  ye  way  of  yr  duty. 

—  22.     Mr.  Mills  preached  P:M:  from  Zech.  14.  6.  7. 

—  23.     This  day  Study  &c.     examined  Jn°.  Sherwin   for  admission 

&°.  found  him  to  reserved  but  I  hope  a  good  bias  in  his  heart 
towards  god 

—  24.     Lords  day  I   preached      .      .      .      found  assistance  and 

Courage  more  than  usual,  hope  god  is  restoring  my  health 
blessed  be  his  name 

—  25.     This  day  prayd.  at  court,     god  gave  me  presence  of  mind 

and  utterance  thanks  to  him,  .  .  .  some  refreshing  Con- 
versation with  Mr.  Kent,4  may  our  hearts  be  more  and  more 
united,  visited  at  night  by  ye  Ingenious  Mr.  Brown  may  god 


Nov.  2,  1735,  was  baptized  "John,"  and  his  wife  "Mary"  ;  and  on  Nov.  i6th,  Lieutenant  Um- 
pacheene  and  his  wife  were  baptized  "  Aaron  "  and  "  Hannah."  Lieut.  Aaron  was  a  useful  man  in 
his  tribe  and  in  the  mission  ;  and  though  at  sometimes  overtaken  with  the  Indians'  easily  besetting 
sin,  a  love  for  the  strong  drink  which  unscrupulous  white  men  put  in  his  way,  lived  on  the  whole  a 
creditable  Christian  life.  Of  his  wife  Mr.  Sergeant  often  spoke  warmly  as  a  virtuous  and  valuable 
woman. 

1  Carthagena  is  the  capital  and  chief  town  of  Colombia,  South  America.  The  fleet  under 
Admiral  Vernon  gained  a  victory  over  the  harbor  defences ;  but  the  land  attack  which  followed, 
under  General  Wentworth,  suffered  disastrous  repulse,  resulting  in  the  abandonment  of  the  siege,  as 
Mr.  Wadsworth  afterward  has  occasion  to  note. 

*  Rev.  Solomon  Williams  of  Lebanon,  who  preached  the  Election  Sermon  on  this  occasion, 
was  born  at  Hatfield,  Mass.,  Jan.,  1701 ;  grad.  H.  C.  1719  ;  ordained  at  Lebanon,  Dec.  5,  1722.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  eminent  men  of  his  period  ;  a  cousin  of  Jonathan  Edwards  with  whom  he  was 
brought  into  controversy  in  the  Half-Way  Covenant  discussion.  He  was  inclined  to  the  "  Old 
Light"  position  in  the  Whitefieldian  troubles.  He  died  Feb.  29,  1776,  in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of 
his  honorable  ministry. 

'  Rev.  Jedidiah  Mills  of  Ripton  (now  Huntington) ;  born  at  Windsor  March  23,  1697  ;  grad. 
Y.  C.  1722  ;  ordained  at  Ripton,  Feb.  12, 1723-4.  An  ardent  supporter  of  Whitefield,  and  the  "  New 
Light "  party,  and  himself  an  itinerating  evangelist.  He  continued  in  his  pastoral  relation  nearly 
fifty-two  years,  dying  "greatly  lamented,"  Jan.  19,  1776. 

4  Probably  Rev.  Elisha  Kent  of  Newtown.  Born  at  iftiffield,  Mass.,  July  9,  1704  ;  grad.  Y.  C. 
1729 ;  ordained  at  Newtown,  Sept.  27,  1732.  He  was  dismissed  from  this  parish,  after  a  period  of 
considerable  disquietude,  Feb.  25,  1742-3,  and  installed  over  a  church  at  Philippi,  New  York,  where 
he  continued  in  office  till  his  death  in  July,  1776. 

9 


66  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

bless  him,  greater  serenity  of  mind  this  day  than  usual,  cour- 
age and  boldness  .  .  . 

—  26.     .     .     .     Visited  by  a  woman  Concerned  about  ye  times,  by 

another  under  great  Concern,  o  god  be  mercifull  to  her 

—  28.     This   day   prayed   at   Court,  went   to   ye   West    Division, 

preached  from  2  Cor.  6.  2.  at  night  married  George  Alcot  and 
Dorothy  Skinner,  returned  home  Laus  Deo 

—  29.     This  day  was  Interred  ye  wife  of  Caleb  Bull 

-  30.     This    day    study    Laboured    under    bodily    indisposition, 
visited  by  Mr.  Pratt,     nil  remarkable  occurs.     .     .     . 

—  31.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:     .     .     .     and  P.M:  Mr.  Mori- 

son  preached  for  me  .  .  .  Jerusha  Farnsworth  and  Ben: 
Barnard  owned  ye  Covenant  Ed:  Cad  well  and  wife  propounded 
for  admis:  to  Communion  with  ye  chh. 


Sometime  in  ye  winter  past  our  people  began  to  set  up  weekly 
meetings  for  religious  exercises.  A  concern  for  yr  souls  pre- 
vailed among  many,  and  y*  continues,  they  have  run  into  some 
irregularities  and  disorders  and  still  continue  to  do.  I  pray 
God  to  overrule  all  for  his  own  glory  and  ye  Good  of  Souls, 
and  to  direct  me  in  ye  way  of  my  duty  and  to  assist  me  to  a 
faithfull  discharge  of  it 
June  1741 

June  i.     .     .     .     ye  news  comes  yl  Carthagena  is  taken 

—  2.     This  day  went  to  Farmington  to  ye  association.1     Saw  my 

friends  in  usual  health 

—  3.     Lecture  at  Farmington     Mr.  Bissell  preached  from  heb.  7. 

25.     returned  home  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo. 

—  4.     This  day  a  lecture  in  ye  afternoon     Mr.  Bissel  preached  from 

i  Joh.  3.  2. 

—  6.     ...     discoursed  with  one  y'  has  bin  a  great  Sinner,  who 

I  hope  is  returning  to  god,  god  grant  he  may  be  a  true  peni- 
tent, and  y*  I  may  be  guided  so  as  to  guide  him  aright. 

—  7.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 


1  The  Association  at  this  session  (Mr.  Wadsworth  being  Scribe)  passed  and  put  on  record  the 
following  Resolve : 

"Whereas  there  appears  a  general  awakening  and  Religious  Concern  among  many  of  our 
people  and  a  disposition  to  hear  the  gospel  preached  more  frequently  than  it  has  usually  been  ; 
which  awakening  and  religious  Concern  if  duly  cultivated  and  directed  may  have  a  very  happy  In- 
fluence to  promote  Religion  and  the  Saving  Conversion  of  Souls:  Wee  therefore  Judge  it  expedient 
that  the  ministers  of  this  association,  in  such  Convenient  Vicinities  or  neighborhoods  as  they  think 
proper,  set  up  frequent  Lectures  and  preach  alternately  for  each  other,  and  that  they  Labour  to 
open,  explain  and  Inculcate  the  great  and  important  doctrines  of  Christianity." 


I/41]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  67 

ment.  this  day  Edward  Cadwell  and  his  wife,  John  Skinner, 
Susan:  Gross,  Pat:  Marshal,  Matthew  Bid  well  and  Mary  Butler 
were  admitted  to  Communion  with  ye  Church,  this  day  went 
thro'  my  work  with  greater  boldness  ease  and  courage  than 
usual,  tho'  Laboured  under  much  bodily  weakness. 

—  8.     Visited  M  .  Woodbridge.     I  pray  God  to  heal  him  restore 

him  to  health  and  usefulness  again 

—  10.     This  day  went  to  a  lecture  at  the  west  division     Mr.  Marsh 

preached  from  psal.  34.  8. 

-  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  2  Cor.  5.  20.     went 

thro'  my  work  with  less  difficulty  than  at  many  other  times 
.  .  .  this  day  96  year  was  Naseby  fight 

-  15.     This  day  wrote  a  letter  to  go  to  Uoctr.  Doddridge,  another 

to  Boston. 

—  16.     This  day  catechised  children  at  Jonathan  Butlers. 

-  17.     This  day  went  to  Wintonbury,  preached  a  lecture  from  luk. 

3.  7.     .     .     .     Spake  with  freedom  blessed  be  god     .     .     . 

-  18.     This  day  some  refreshing  Conversation  with  Mr.  K.  and  H: 

.  .  .  at  night  came  news  that  ye  Spaniards  had  landed  a 
1000  men  on  Long  Island  had  burnt  ye  town  of  Rockway,  30 
sail  of  vessels  said  to  be  there 

-  19.     This  day  2  troops  of  horse  went  to  New-London  &c.    .    .    . 

Lord  guard  our  Coasts,  Save  us  from  our  Enemies  hands. 

—  21.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  James  3.  17.    Baptized 

Daniel  ye  Son  of  Daniel  Badger  Junr.  in  ye  afternoon  while  I 
was  at  meeting  my  wife  was  safely  delivered  of  a  Son '  Thanks 
be  to  god  for  it.  o  Lord  I  give  him  up  unto  thee  bless  him,  o 
Lord,  I  pray  and  make  him  a  blessing.  .  .  . 

—  22.     paied  Billy  Keith  £4.  45.  o.     remains  due  4.  n.  8. 

-  23.     .     .     .     Mr.  Whitman  returned  from  his  Journey,  blessed 

be  God  y'  has  returned  him.     Bellamy2  ye  preacher  here,  made 


1  Daniel.     The  boy  lived  to  be  only  about  nine  years  old,  dying  Nov.  3,  1750. 

2  Rev.  Joseph   Bellamy  of  Bethlem  ;  born  in  Cheshire   Feb.  20,  1718-19  ;  grad.  Y.   C.    1735  ; 
ordained  at   Bethlem  April  2,  1740.     He  entered  earnestly  into  the  Whitefieldian  movement  and 
became  one  of  the  most  powerful  if  not  sensational  of  the  itinerating  preachers.     There  is  reason  to 
believe  he  subsequently  took  a  more  conservative  view  of   the  proprieties  of  that  episode  of  his 
history.     He  was  a  man  of  domineering  temper  and  did  not  always  use  kind  or  Christian  methods  in 
his  opposition  to  those  who  at  this  period  differed  from  him  in  opinion  as  to  what  the  cause  of  religion 
asked  for.     He  was  unquestionably  the  ablest   preacher  in   Connecticut  in    his   day  ;    and   some- 
what later  than  this  Great  Awakening  era  was  one  of  the  most  prolific  and  able  of  controversial 
pamphleteers.    His  True  Religion  Delineated,  published  in  1750,  rises  to  the  hight  of  an  important 
treatise,  which  was  republished   in   Edinburgh   in   1788,  and  had,   both  in  England  and  America,  a 
wide  circulation.     He  became  teacher  of  theology  to  many  young  men  ;  was  invited  to  a  pastorate  in 
New  York  in  1753  and  54 ;  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  from  the  University  of  Aberdeen  in  1768  ; 
preached  the  Election  Sermon  May  13,  1762  ;  died  March  6,  1790. 


68  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

a  disturbance  here.  I  pray  God  direct  me  in  ye  way  of  my 
duty  in  this  difficult  day.  .  .  . 

—  24.     Lord  teach  me  how  to  bear  up  under  reproach.     Sanctify 

all  my  troubles  unto  me. 

-  25.     This  day      ...      Mr.  Gould '  of  Stratford  here     .     .     . 

I  thank  God  for  his  goodness  to  my  wife,  in  giving  her  so 
much  comfort  and  ease 

—  26.     This  day  study  &c.     .     .     .     o  Lord  direct  me  to  a  text  for 

tomorrow  Instant 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Jam.   3:    17.  and  P.M: 

from  heb.  10.  31.     ...     Laboured  under  weakness     .     .     . 

—  30.     .     .     .     read  Walters  sermon,  entitled  ye  thots  of  ye  heart 

best  evidence  of  a  spiritual  state,  a  good  sermon. 

July  begins. 

July  i.     .     .     .     at  night  conversed  with  one  very  zealous,  I  pray 
God  to  save  him  from  enthusiasm  and  wickedness 

—  2.     a  lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting     Mr.  Whitman  of  Farm- 

ington  preached  from  2.  Cor.  5.  15.  discoursed  with  a  delin- 
quent I  pray  God  humble  him  and  bring  him  to  repentence. 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Eph.  2.  13,  administred 

ye  Sacrament,     admitted  Amy  Richards  into  y"  chh.     .     .    . 

—  6.     This  day  writing,  visiting,  Conversation    &°.     I  pray  God 

direct  me  in  ye  important  affair  I  have  discoursed  of  this  night. 
Lord  give  us  Love,  peace  &  purity 

—  7.     This  day     .     .     .     Mr.  White  here.     Long  discourse  abl  ye 

religious  affairs  of  ye  present  times,  o  God  direct  me  I  pray 
thee,  give  me  to  understand  my  duty  and  Courage  intrepidly 
to  discharge  it. 

—  8.     This  day  went  to  Farmington  Mr.  E.  Whitman  preached  a 

lecture  from  Mark  8:  36,  much  concern  among  some  people 
there. 

—  9.     .     .     .     returned  home  found  my  family  in  safety  Laus  Deo, 

—  10.     Ye  melancholly  news  of  our  forces  drawing  of  from  Cartha- 

gena  with  great  Loss  is  Confirmed.     .     .     . 

-  12.     This  day  preached  A:M:  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting    .    .    . 

and  P.M:  ...  at  my  own.  .  .  .  Laboured  under  great 
weakness,  o  Lord  help  me 


1  Probably  Rev.  Ebenezer  Gould,  H.  C.  1723  ;  ordained  at  Greenwich,  New  Jersey,  1728  ; 
and  a  few  weeks  later  than  Mr.  Wadsworth's  entry  (viz.  Sept.,  1740,)  to  be  installed  over  a  parish 
in  Southold,  L.  I.  Dismissed  from  there  in  1747,  he  was  installed  at  Middlefield,  Oct.  roth  of  the 
same  year,  from  whence  again  he  was  dismissed  in  1756.  He  died  at  East  Granville,  Mass.,  in 
1778  or  g. 


I/41]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  69 

—  13.     This  day  reading  Shepherds  Sincere  Convert '  &c.     at  night 

married  John  Tilly  and  Martha  Burnham. 

—  14.     ...    Some  pleasant  Conversation  with  Mr.  A.  Woodbridge. 

—  15.     Lecture.      Mr.   Whitman    of   Farmington    preached    from 

Matt.  ii.  28.     a  good  sermon 

—  1 6.     This  day      .      .      .      visited  Mr.  Woodbridge  I  pray  God 

Look  in  Mercy  upon  him. 

—  19.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  heb.  4.  7.  lat.  p*.  and 

P.M.  from  Gal.  4:  18  on  religious  zeal  I  pray  god  I  might  be 
possessed  of  it,  influenced  &  acted  by  it  and  my  people  also, 
and  yl  w'  I  have  preached  might  be  recd.  by  &  blessed  to  ym  so 
far  as  is  agreeable  to  thy  will. 

—  20.     Uncle  Thomas  here,  and  at  night  Mr.  Hunn 

—  21.     This  day  in  Conversation  with  good  Mr.  Hunn,  I  pray  god 

bless  him  and  me 

—  23.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  Division  preached  a  Lecture 

from  i.  Joh.  3.  9.     o  God  bless  thy  word     .     .     . 

—  24.     Went  to  Wintonbury  to  see  brother  Bissel,  but  he  was  not 

at  home     returned  safely  Laus  Deo. 

—  26.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     laboured  under  some  diffi- 

culty in  speaking 

—  27.     This  day  Reading  Bailys  History  of  Brownists,  independ- 

ents &c.     afternoon  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge. 

—  29.     .     .     .     the  sorrowful  news  of  ye  death  of  Capt.  Newberry 

arrives2     .     .     . 

—  30.     a  lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting  Mr.  Colton  preached 

from  Eph.  2.  13.     a  private  meeting  at  night  at  ye  governours 

August  begins 

Aug.  i.  This  day  Study  &c.  Mr.  Colton  here.  Theodore  Wood- 
bridge  returned  from  ye  West  Indies,  this  week  arrived  ye 
news  of  ye  death  of  my  good  friend  Capt.  Newberry.  When 
mine  acquaintances  are  hid  in  darkness  may  I  prepare  for  my 
own  great  change. 

—  2.     Lord  day  I  preached     .     .     .      and  administred  y*  Sacra- 

ment, and  recd.  Jemima  Brace  into  ye  chh. 

—  4.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge  &°.     Mr.  Eliot  here. 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  Farmington  preached  a  lecture  from  luk. 

3.  7  &  returned  Home  Laus  Leo 


1  Shepherd's  Sincere  Convert  was  one  of  several  books  belonging  to  the  previous  century 
which  the  newly  awakened  religious  interest  in  New  England  caused  to  be  republished  and  exten- 
sively read.     Among  these  books  to  which   Mr.  Wadsworth  refers,  besides  this  of  Shepherd's,  was 
Hooker's  Poor  Doubting  Christian  Drawn  to  Christ,  and  Giles  Firmin's  Real  Christian. 

2  A  nte,  p.  53. 


70  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

—  6.     ...     at  night  preached  at  ye  Govern",  something  Strait- 

ened, I  pray  God  deliver  me  from  a  blameable  fear  of  man 

-  7.     recd.  a  letter  from  Mr.  Clap.     .     .     . 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:      .      .      .     at   Mr.   Whitmans 

meeting  and  P.M:  Mr.  Morison  preached  for  me    .    .    .    Sarah 
Jones  owned  ye  Covenant  and  was  baptized 

—  10.     at  night  saw  Lieut"'.   Ward    returned   from   the  Spanish 

Expedition. 

-  ii.     Association  met  at  Mr.  Woodbridges  entered  into  Consider- 

ation of  our  religious  affairs  &c.     Came  into  various  resolves  ' 

-  12.     a  lecture  ye  East  Side  Mr.  Whitman  of  F.  preached  from 

Isai.  32.  15     ye  asso".  broke  up 

—  15.     This  day  little  study.     Laboured  under  considerable  indis- 

position,    yesterday  ye  post  brought  us  an  ace*  of  Davenports a 
boisterous  management  at  Stonington. 


3  These  "  resolves"  so  distinctly  indicate  the  difficulties  which  really  right-hearted  men  like 
Mr.  Wadsworth  were  encompassed  by,  that  they  must  be  quoted. 
"  The  following  questions  were  considered  and  Resolved. 

1.  Whether  it  be  not  at  this  time  in  an   Especial  manner  needful  for  the  ministers  studi- 
ously to  endeavoui  to  maintain  peace  and  unity  among  themselves  and  in  the  churches.        Agreed 
upon  by  the  Association  to  be  needful. 

2.  Whether  it  be  not  contrary  to  the  mind  of  Christ  and  destructive  to  the  peace  of  the 
Churches  for  a  minister  or  ministers  to  preach  in  a  parish  or  parishes  where  there  is  a  settled  minis- 
ter or  ministers,  without  the  desire,  liberty  or  consent  of  such  settled  minister  or  ministers.      Agreed 
in  the  affirmative.     Act.  20.  28.     i  pet.  4.  15.     i  Cor.  14.  40. 

3.  Whether  any  weight  is  to  be  Laied  upon  those  screachings,  cryings  out,  faintings  and 
convulsions,  which  sometimes  attend  the  terrifying  Language  of  some  preachers  and  others  as  evi- 
dences of  or  necessary  to  a  genuine  Conviction  of  sin,  humiliation  and  preparation  for  Christ. 
Agreed  in  the  Negative,  as  also  that  there  is  no  weight  to  be  Laied  upon  those  Visions  or  visional 
discoveries  by  some  of  Late  pretended  to,  of  Heaven  or  Hell,  or  the  body  or  blood  of  Christ,  viz.  as 
represented  to  the  eye  of  the  body. 

4.  Whether  the  assertion  of  some  Itinerant  preachers  that  the  pure  gospel  and  especially 
the  doctrines  of  Regeneration  and  Justification  by  faith  are  not  preached  in  these  Churches :    their 
Rash  censuring  the  body  of  our  Clergy  as  Carnal  and  unconverted  men  and  notoriously  unfit  for 
their  office  is  not  such  a  sinfull  and  Scandalous  violation  of  the  fifth  and  ninth  Commandments  of 
the  Moral  Law  as  ought  to  be  testified  against,  and  such  preachers  not  be  admitted  to  preach  in  our 
pulpits  and  parishes  until  they  have  as  publickly  manifested  their  repentence  as  they  have  given 
out  their  false  and  scandalous  assertions.  Agreed  in  the  affirmative. 

5.  Whether  the  pronouncing  persons  Converted  so  hastily  and  upon  so  slender  grounds  as 
some  do,  be  not  exceeding  dangerous.  Agreed  in  the  affirmative. 

6.  What  is  to  be  tho't  of  the  religious  Concern  that  is  at  this  day  so  general  in  the  Land  ? 
Wee  trust  and  believe  that  the  holy  Spirit  is  moving  upon  the  hearts  of  many,  that  many 

have  received  of  Late  a  Saving  Change  in  many  of  our  Towns,  and  hope  and  desire  that  thro' 
grace  many  may  yet  be  Savingly  wrought  upon.  But  there  are  sundry  things  attending  this  work 
which  are  unscriptural  and  of  a  dangerous  Tendency  ;  and  therefore  advise  both  ministers  and  peo- 
ple in  their  Respective  Stations  cautiously  to  guard  against  everything  of  that  nature.  And  wee 
for  ourselves  seriously  profess  our  willingness  to  encourage  the  good  work  of  God's  Spirit  agreeably 
to  his  word  to  the  utmost  of  our  power." 

These  resolutions  were  passed  at  an  unusually  full  meeting  of  the  Association,  sixteen  mem- 
bers being  present. 

2  Rev.  James  Davenport,  the  most  extravagant  of  the  itinerating  evangelists  of  the  period. 
Born  in  Stamford  in  1716  or  1717  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1732  ;  preached  awhile  in  New  Jersey  ;  ordained  at 
Southold,  L.  I.,  Oct.  26,  1738.  With  Rev.  Jonathan  Barber,  before  mentioned  in  this  Diary,  he 


1741]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  71 

—  16.     Lords  day  Laboured  under  indisposition  I  went  not  forth  : 

in  ye  forenoon  ye  Congns.  both  met  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting 
in  ye  afternoon  Mr.  Whitman  preached  for  me.  rainy  weather 

—  18.     This  day  recd.  a  letter  from  Mr.  Worthington     .     .     . 

—  19.     This  day  a  lecture  Mr.  Bissel  preached  from  Isai.  55.  7.    at 

night  visited  Obad:  Spencer,  sick  prayed  with  him  &c. 

—  21.  .      .      Uncle  Thomas  here  under  infirmity.      Obadiah 

Spencer  Sen',  died 

—  22.     Ob:  Spencer  Interred  as  my  earthly  friends  fail  I  pray  God 

to  take  me  up. 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  act.  16.  31 

relieve  me  I  pray  under  my  difficulties 

—  25.     This  day  at  Farmington  with  my  friends      Mr.  Whitman 

preached  from  prov.  8.  32.  returned  home  found  my  family 
well,  praised  be  god.  O  Lord  I  pray  appear  for  ye  help  of  thy 
ministers  &  chhs.  guide  me  in  ye  way  of  my  duty  under  ye 
present  difficult  situation  of  affairs,  &  give  me  strength  and 
courage  faithfully  to  perform  it. 

—  26.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  division  to  Lecture     Mr.  Whit- 

man preached  from  heb.  2.  3.     ... 

—  27.     This  day  in  Conversation  &c.     at  night  preached  a  lecture 

to  ye  youth 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  2.  tim.  i:   13. 

—  31.     Last  night  died  and  this  day  was  Interred  John  ye  Son  of 

Timothy  Biggelow.  Visited  Mr.  Woodbridge.  found  him  not 
worse. 

Sept  begins 
Sept.  i.     This  day  ye  Court  Super,  sat  here,     great  divisions  and 

Contentions  seems  to  be  arising  in  some  Towns. 
-  2.     This  day  visiting,  discourse  &°.     prospect  of  our  religious 
affairs  Looks  melancholly.     ye  great  awakening  &c.  seems  to 
be  degenerating  into  Strife  and  faction. 

—  4.     This  day  prayed  at  Court,     discoursed  with  Capt.  Oz.  P. 

ab*.  our  religious  affairs  a  Long  time,  ye  Lord  bless  him  and 
direct  me. 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment. Laboured  under  great  dullness,  difficulty  of  speaking, 
inward  weakness  &c-  o  Lord  bless  my  weak  endeavours. 


traversed  a  chief  part  of  Long  Island,  and  in  July,  1741,  he  started  on  another  and  more  notorious 
journey,  characterized  by  denunciation  of  the  ministers  of  almost  every  place  as  unconverted  men, 
indulgence  in  the  most  violent  language  and  bodily  behavior,  and  encouragement  of  the  wildest 
outcries  and  ecstacies  of  terror  or  delight  in  his  hearers.  There  will  be  occasion  to  refer  to  him 
hereafter. 


. 


72  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

-  9.     Commencement  at  New-Haven.      Davenport  and  Bellamy 

preached  and  Mills  at  night,  great  Confusion. 

-  10.     Much  Confusion  this  day  at  New-Haven,  and  at  night  ye 

most  strange  management  and  a  pretence  of  religion  y'  ever  I 
saw. 

-  ii.     Went  to  Stratford  in  ye  afternoon. 

-  12.     Went  to  Reading,     weary  &c. 

-  13.     preached  pr.  totum  from  gal.  6.  15. 

-  14.     Went  to  fairfield,  nil  remarkable 

—  15.     Came  to  New-Haven 

-  16.     returned  home  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo 

-  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  for  Mr.  Whitman    .     .     .    and 

P.M:  ...  at  my  own  meeting.  Mary  Pratt  owned  ye 
covenant 

—  21.     Visiting  ye  sick  &c.     a  time  of  great  distress.     3  persons 

buried  this  day 

—  22.     .     .     .     Rector  Clap  here  at  night 

—  24.     A  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  on  ace1,  of  ye  distressing  sick- 

ness among  us.  A.M.  I  preached  from  Job.  14.  10.  &  P.M. 
Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  mic.  6.  9. 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  rom.  14.  17.     .     .     . 

—  30.     This  day  went  to  ye  west  division  preached  A:  M:  from  Job 

14:  10  &  P.M.  Mr.  Whitman  preached  Mic.  6.  9.  returned 
home  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo.  I  pray  God  to  direct 
me  in  my  duty  to  my  poor  B.  H.  O  Lord  save  him  from  ruin  — 

The  religious  stir  y*  has  bin  amongst  us  seems  to  have  had  differ- 
ent effects,  some  I  hope  are  reformed  and  Converted,  others 
I  fear  are  only  turned  from  one  sort  of  wickedness  to  another, 
divisions  and  Contentions  seem  to  be  arising  among  us  I  pray 
y*  god  would  mercifully  Interpose  and  prevent  them  if  it  may 
consist  with  his  holy  will  and  pleasure,  but  if  not  to  prepare 
me  for  his  will  and  help  me  to  do  and  suffer  w*  he  has  ap- 
pointed for  me. 

Itinerant  preaching  which  some  have  gone  into  ye  practice  of,  is 
liked  by  some  and  greatly  disliked  by  others;  I  know  not  but 
y4  they  may  have  done  good  in  some  places,  but  I  think  in 
many  places  and  Especially  in  this  Town  they  have  done  a 
great  deal  of  mischief.  I  think  they  have  bin  very  influential 
of  weaning  of  y*  religious  impressions  y'  were  on  ye  minds  of 
our  people,  and  Turning  ym  to  disputes,  debates  and  quarrels, 
and  w*  will  be  ye  event  God  only  knows.  The  principle  Itin- 
erant preachers  among  us  are  Jed:  Mills,  Pomroy  &  Wheelock, 


I/41]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  73 

some  others  young  ministers  are  getting  into  y*  way.  Steady 
Christians  &  ye  most  Judicious  among  ministers  and  people  so 
far  as  I  can  Learn  generally  dislike  these  new  things  set  afoot 
by  these  Itinerant  preachers. 

October  1741 
Oct.  i.     This  day  lecture  M'.  Colton  preached     .     .     . 

—  2.     ...     received    a    Letter  from    Doctr  Uoddridge    Dated 

March  6.  1740/41.  very  kind  and  obliging,  this  day  died 
Mary  Farnsworth 

—  3.     This  day     .     .     .     Mary  Farnsworth  Interred,  ye  Gov.  sick 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  heb  5.  9.     adminis- 

tred  ye  Sacrament,  had  a  Contribution  for  wid:  Esther  Mer- 
rel  .  .  . 

—  6.     ...     Sickness  prevails   among   us     ...     in  ye  night 

died  Jos:  Gilbert  Junr. 

—  7.     This    day   went   to   Windsor    to    ye   AssocV      Mr.    Colton 

preached  from  act.  16.  31. 

—  8.     .     .     .     ye  Govern',  still  very  sick  I  pray  God  to  spare  his 

life  in  mercy  to  thy  people  if  it  may  be.  Jos:  Gilbert  Junr  In- 
terred. Gen".  Court  Sits  at  New-Haven. 

—  9.     This  day  Joseph  Farnsworth  died,  a  sickly  time     .     .     . 

—  10.     This  day  study,  visiting  ye  sick  &c.     a  time  of  great  dis- 

tress. ye  Govern',  exceeding  sick,  I  pray  God  to  heal  him. 
not  heard 

—  ii.     Lords  day.     15  minutes  after  6  oclock  in  ye  morning  died 

my  dear  father  Talcott,  a  pattern  of  piety,  a  good  man  and 
did  good  in  our  Israel,  served  his  Country  with  faithfulness 
and  to  great  acceptance  in  ye  stations  of  a  Justice,  an  assistant, 
a  deputy  Govern',  and  then  of  Govern'  successively,  he  was 
also  a  Judge  of  ye  County  Court,  a  Judge  in  ye  Super'  Court, 
and  major  of  ye  Regiment  in  ye  County  of  H:  for  many  years, 
he  was  made  a  Justice  of  peace  in  May  1705,  of  ye  quorum  in 
may  1706,  and  in  may  1710  appointed  major  of  ye  regiment  in 
ye  County  of  Hartford,  in  may  1711  he  was  Chosen  into  ye 
Council,  in  may  1714  appointed  Judge  of  ye  County  Court  and 


1  This  Association,  obviously  exercised  about  the  flocking  of  the  people  after  the  Itinerating 
preachers,  debated  this  question  :  — 

"Whether  it  be  not  sinfull  and  scandalous  for  a  person  to  forsake  the  preaching  and  admin- 
istration of  his  own  Lawful  Pastor  and  travel  upon  the  Sabbath  much  further  to  another  place  of 
worship  in  order  to  hear  some  other  minister  ?  " 

To  which  question  the  Association  put  on  record  this  reply  :  "  That  for  a  person  to  do  this 
under  a  pretense  of  going  from  an  unconverted  minister  to  hear  a  Converted  minister,  or  pretend- 
ing that  they  get  more  good  by  the  minister  whom  they  go  to  hear,  is  altogether  unwarrantable." 

IO 


74  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

of  ye  Court  of  probates,  in  Octobr  1723  was  chosen  Dep: 
Govern',  and  in  Oct.  1724  he  was  Chosen  Govern'.  while 
an  assistant  he  was  one  year  a  Judge  in  ye  Superior  Court  he 
continued  Govern'  from  ye  time  of  his  being  first  Chosen  to  ye 
day  of  his  death,  was  accepted  by  the  multitude  of  his  people. 
O  Lord  sanctify  this  Loss  to  me  and  them.  He  was  in  ye  72* 
year  of  his  age l 

—  12.     This  day  visiting  &c.     nil  remarkable     recd  a  letter  from 

uncle  James  at  night  p'.  Mr.  Bicknel 

—  13.     This  day  was  Interred  my  very  hond.  father  and  dear  friend 

Govern'.  Talcott,  a  pattern  of  piety  an  eminently  useful  man 
in  his  generation  what  a  breach  is  made  in  ye  Government, 
in  ye  Town,  and  in  our  chh.  its  main  pillar  is  fallen  o  Lord 
help  me,  sanctify  this  affliction  I  pray  unto  me,  give  me  the 
grace  to  bear  it  patiently,  now  my  father  and  mother  has 
forsaken  me  o  Lord  take  me  up,  I  pray 

—  14.     This  day     .     .     .     Mr.  Whitman  of  F.  preached  a  Lecture 

from  Matt.  25.  21.     gave  Govern'  Talcott  a  good  Character 

—  1 6.     .     .     .     news  from  boston  a  french  war  expected. 

—  17.     This  day     .     .     .     died  Susannah  Spencer 

—  18.     Lords    day    I    preached    pr    Totum    from    Act.    13.    36. 

Laboured  under  .  .  .  this  day  was  Interred  Susannah 
Spencer  and  Jemima  Brace. 

—  20.     .     .     .     reading  in  Doct'.  Mathers  direction  to  Candidates 

for  y"  ministry 

—  21.     This  day  went  to  Farmington  lecture  there.     M'.  E.  Whit- 

man preached  from  Isai.  42.  ...  great  talk  &c.  about  re- 
ligion. I  wish  there  was  much  of  it  to  be  seen. 

—  22.     This  day  returned   from    Farmington     found    my  family 

alive  Laus  Deo.     .     .     . 

—  23.     This  day  died  James  Lee. 

—  24.     .     .     .     James  Lee  interred 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  p'.  totum  from  Job.  5:  6.  7.     .     .     . 

o  Lord  help  me  Save  my  people  I  pray  from  Contentions  and 
divisions 

—  27.     ye  mother  of  ye  familistical  and  antinomian  opinions  y'  dis- 

tracted new  England  (about  1636,  1637  &c.)  was  y1  a  Christian 
should  not  fetch  any  Evidence  of  his  good  state  before  god 
from  yc  sight  of  any  inherent  qualification  in  him,  or  from  any 
conditional  promise  made  unto  such  qualification.  hence 


Gov.  Talcott  was  born  Nov.  16,  1669, 


1741]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  75 

sprung  their  revelations  &  monstrous  opinions  &c.  Doctr.  M. 
Magn:  Lib:  3*  pag.  87.  visiting  ye  sick  &c. 

—  28.     .     .     .     At    night   married    Mr.    Allan    Mc.Lean    and    M" 

Susanna  Beauchamp. 

-  29.     Lecture  in  ye  afternoon     Mr.  Colton  preached  from  Matt. 

5.  26.  at  night  Joseph  Farnsworth  and  Mary  Blin  were 
married 

Novembr.  Begins  happy  may  it  be 

Nov.  i.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  Job:  12.  15.  and  ad- 
ministred  ye  Sacrament.  Laboured  under  great  weakness,  o 
Lord  help  me. 

—  2.     Went  to  Windsor  about  the  affairs  of  ye  General  Consocia- 

tion,1 I  pray  God  y*  it  may  be  directed  and  Issue  well,  re- 
turned in  Safety,  Laus  Deo 

—  5.     Publick  Thanksgiving,  preached    from    act.  26.  22.      Cool 

blustering  weather  ...  I  bless  God  y*  has  preserved  me 
thro'  another  year. 

-  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Job.  5.  6.  7.  at  Mr.  Whit- 

mans meeting,  and  P.M  at  my  own  from  rom.  8:  13.     ... 

—  10.     This  day  ye  Consociation  met  here  to  choose  delegates  to 

attend  y*  Gen11  Consociation  to  be  convened  at  Guilford  on  ye 
24  Instant,  &  choose  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Sam11  Whitman,  The  Revd. 
Mr.  Benjamn  Colton  and  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Stephen  Steel,  and  of  ye 
messengers  Capt:  John  Marsh  Deacn  John  Edwards  &  Capt: 
Thomas  Pitkin.  I  pray  God  to  Direct  &  bless  ym 

—  13.     Uncle  Thomas  went  from  hence  toward  night 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  Col.  3:  16  per  totum,    Laboured 

under  great  indisposition  in  ye  forenoon 

—  1 6.     .     .     .     Save  ye  people  of  my  parish  from  Contention  and 

Confusion,  reduce  those  y*  are  wandering 

—  1 8.     Went  to  ye  West  Division,  preached  a  lecture  from  heb.  6. 

4.  5.  6.     returned  home  in  Safety,  Laus  Deo     .     .     . 

—  20.     .     .     .     conversed  at  night  with  a  zealous  man      I  pray 

God  prevent  his  going  astray,  reduce  him  to  ye  rules  of  sobriety 
and  truth. 


1  At  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  October  previous  to  this  date  a  call  for  a  General 
Consociation  of  the  churches  in  the  Colony,  to  take  into  view  the  "  unhappy  misunderstandings 
and  divisions  subsisting  in  this  Colony,  whereby  the  peace  of  our  churches  is  much  threatened," 
was  legalized  by  the  Assembly  and  its  expenses  assumed  by  the  Colonial  treasury.  It  was  to  meet 
at  Guilford,  and  "  to  consist  of  three  ministers  and  three  messengers  from  each  particular  consocia- 
tion." This  is  historically  (aside  from  any  other  significant  features)  a  very  interesting  gathering  ; 
as  being,  under  whatsoever  variation  of  name,  Consociation  or  Convention,  precisely  the  old-fash- 
ioned and  familiar  Synod  of  New  England  history,  and  the  last  one  to  be  called  by  civil  authority. 


76  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1741 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  gal.  5.  22.  23.     went 

thro'  my  work  with  less  difficulty  than  at  some  times 

—  23.     Tim.  ye  son  of  Caleb  Spencer  interred,     pulled  down  ye  old 

house 

—  24.     This  day  rainy  &c.     our  Delegates  set  out  upon  yr  Journey 

to  Guilford  I  pray  God  to  prosper  yr  Journey,  and  preside  in 
ye  Convention,  &  bring  their  Debates  &  Consultations  to  a 
happy  Issue  and  Conclusion. 

—  25.     A  lecture  in  ye  afternoon  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting.     Mr. 

Marsh  of  Windsor  preached  from  Matt.  3.  10. 

—  26.     Mr.  Marsh  preached  a  lecture  A:M:  from  Hos:  13.  13.  as 

I'm  informed  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting 

—  28.     This  day  in  Study     .     .     .     recd  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wood- 

bridge,  I  pray  God  to  direct  him  in  ye  important  affair  before 
him  and  me  w*  advice  to  give  him. 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached     ...     I  pray  god  to  bless  w1  was 

agreeable  to  his  will  to  those  that  heard  it. 

Decembr. 

Dec.  3.     .     .      .     in   ye   afternoon    Mr.  Whitman   of   Farmington 
preached  a  lecture  here  from  Isai.  55.  6. 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  luk  2.  10.  n.     ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacrament,  admitted  Tim:  Phelps  Junr.  into  ye 
Church,  baptized  Lucy  ye  daughter  of  James  Shepherd. 

—  8.     This  day  visited  ye  sick,  distressed  &°.     I  pray  God  to  have 

Compassion  on  Mary  Griswould 

—  9.     This  day  in  conversation  &c     took  a  Copy  of  ye  doings  of 

ye  general  Consociation 1 

—  10.     This  day     .     .     .     recd  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Hunn 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M     .     .     .     and  Mr  Webster  P.M 

.  .  .  and  I  baptized  Allan  ye  son  of  Neil  McLean,  Moses 
ye  son  of  James  Bicknel  George  ye  son  of  Cyprian  Nickols 
John  ye  son  of  Joseph  Alcot 


1  The  proceedings  of  the  Consociation  as  a  whole  have  perished.  Partial  account  of  them  is 
preserved  in  Philemon  Robbins'  Plain  Narrative.  One  resolution  the  Consociation  adopted  was 
the  following: 

"  That  for  a  minister  to  enter  another  ministers  parish,  and  preach  or  administer  the  seals  of 
the  covenant,  without  the  consent  of,  or  in  opposition  to,  the  settled  minister  of  the  parish,  is  dis- 
orderly :  notwithstanding  if  a  considerable  number  of  people  in  the  parish  are  desirous  to  hear 
another  minister  preach,  provided  the  same  be  orthodox  and  sound  in  the  faith,  and  not  notoriously 
faulty  in  censuring  other  persons,  or  guilty  of  any  other  scandal,  we  think  it  ordinarily  advisable 
for  the  minister  of  the  parish  to  gratify  them,  by  giving  his  consent  upon  their  suitable  application 
to  him  for  it,  unless  neighbouring  ministers  should  advise  him  to  the  contrary." 

This  action  of  the  Consociation  was  made  by  the  General  Assembly  at  its  Session  in  the  May 
following,  the  basis,  in  connection  with  the  statute  of  1708  establishing  the  Saybrook  System  of 
Church  Discipline,  of  some  most  stringent  legislative  enactments,  which  there  will  be  occasion  here- 
after to  notice. 


I742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  77 

—  14.     This  day  visited  a  sick  child  I  pray  God  to  spare  its  life. 

cumbred  with  secular  business. 

—  15.     I  pray  y*  god  would  direct  the  woman  with  whom  I  have 

had  serious  discourse  this  night 

—  16.     Visiting  ye  sick,    at  night  reckoned  with  ye  Comttee     due  to 

me  £42.  us.  yd 

—  18.     This  day  some  Good,     this  day  was  buried  Moses  ye  Son 

of  James  Bicknel  who  died  yesterday. 

—  19.     .     .     .     Sent  a  letter  to  my  uncle  James  by  Doctr.  Fitch.1 

—  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  2  pet.  2.  9.  at  Mr.  Whit- 

mans meeting  and  P.M  at  my  own  .  .  .  and  baptized 
Sarah  ye  daughter  of  Abraham  Cadwell 

—  21.     .     .     .     at  night  Capt.  Wyllys  taken  with  an  appoplectick 

fit. 

—  25.     This  day  some  study  reading,  visiting  ye  sick  &c.     recd  Mr. 

Dickinson  Discourses  on  ye  five  points2 

—  26.     between  four  and  five   o'clock   this  morning  Died   Hez: 

Wyllys  Esqp.  in  ye  70""  year  of  his  age,  he  was  seized  with  an 
apoplectick  fit  last  monday  night.  Went  to  ye  East  side  to 
preach 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  for  Mr.  Woodbridge  on  ye  East  side 

.     .     .     cold  weather 

—  28.     This  day  returned  home  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 

This  day  was  Interred  Capt.  Wyllys  a  good  man  and  a  good 
friend  is  gone,  o  y*  god  would  raise  up  principle  men  among 
us 

—  30.     This  day  heard  Mr.  Edwards  preach  a  Sermon  from  rev. 

14-  3- 

January  begins  [1742] 

Jany.  i.  This  day  study  &°.  Conversed  with  an  uneasy  member, 
visited  a  sick  woman,  discoursed  an  awakened  youth  .  .  . 
god  has  carried  me  thro'  another  year  praised  be  his  name 

—  3.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:  M.  from  psal.  12.  i.  and  P.M.  from 


1  Dr.  James  Fitch  "served  in  the  quality  of  a  physician  to  the  souldiers  of  this  Colony  gar- 
rison'd  at  Louisbourgh,"  and  subsequently  as  "Second  Surgeon's  mate  in  the  expedition  against 
Canada."  He  had  died  before  May,  1752.  Col.  Rec.,  IX:  221,  X:  108. 

'  Rev.  Jonathan  Dickinson's  True  Scripture-Doctrine  concerning  Some  Important  Points 
of  Christian  Faith.  Mr.  Dickinson  was  born  at  Hatfield,  Mass.,  Apl.  22,  1688  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1706 ; 
ordained  at  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  Sept.  29,  1709  ;  a  warm  supporter  of  Whitefield,  and  a  writer  of 
many  tractates  of  a  controversial  character  ;  chosen  president  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  May, 
1747  ;  died  on  October  7  of  the  same  year.  He  was  one  of  the  ablest  ministers  and  theologians  of 
his  century. 


78  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1742 

luk.  16.  9.  and  baptized  Hannah  ye  daughter  of  Samuel  Flagg, 
this  day  died  Mary  ye  wife  of  Thomas  Welles 

—  4.     .     .     .     Mary  Welles  hurried,  snowy  weather,     o  Lord  Sanc- 

tify all  thy  dealings  with  me,  many  of  my  dear  friends  are 
buried  out  of  my  sight. 

-  7.     This  day  ab'.  ye  Estate  &°.     Lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meet- 
ing    Mr.  Whitman  preached     .     .     . 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  luk.  16.  9.     Laboured 

under     .     .     . 

—  12.     This  day  went  to  Durham,     found  my  friends  well. 

—  14.     This  day  came  to  Middletown,  o  Lord     .     .     .     direct  me 

.     .     .     under  y"  present  situation  of  affairs. 

—  15.     This  day  returned  home,  found  my  family  well,  blessed  be 

God  for  it,  may  yy  all  be  his  own 

—  1 6.     .     .     .     recd.  a  letter  from  Mr.  Edwards  of  Northampton, 

and  one  of  his  Sermons  * 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Isai.  55.  7.      ... 

James  Logan  owned  ye  Coven' 

—  18.     .      .      .      At  night  died  Elizabeth  ye  daughter  of  Samuel 

Talcot 

—  20.     .     .     .     Elizabeth  y*  daughter  of  Samuel  Talcot  Interred 

—  21.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  Division  preached  a  lecture  from 

Hos.  7.  8. 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Laboured  under 

—  26.     Went  to  Weathersfield  Mr.  Whitman  preached  from   Isai. 

32.  2.     returned  home  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo 

—  27.     lecture  in  ye  afternoon  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting  Mr.  Lock- 

wood  preached  from  Eph.  2.  8.         at  night  I  married  Jacob 
Kellogg  and  Abigail  Wadsworth. 

—  28.     At  night  preached  a  lecture  at  Mr.  Churches  from  Joh.  i.  29. 

—  29.     This  day  in  study  &c.     recd.  a  letter  from  Mr.  Worthington," 

another  from  Mr.  Knot 8  with  a  copy  of  Tenants  letter  to  Mr. 
Lord4  and  also  of  some  of  ye  principles  of  Count  Zenzendorf 


1  Probably  Mr.  Edwards'  sermon  on  The  Distinguishing  Marks  of  a  Work  of  the  Spirit 
of  God,  which  he  had  preached  at  New  Haven,  September  10,  1741,  and  which  had  been  printed  at 
Boston  late  in  that  year. 

*  Rev.  William  Worthington,  born  in  Hartford  Dec.  5,  1695  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1716 ;  ordained  at 
the  western  part  of  Saybrook,  now  called  Westbrook,  June  29,  1726,  where  he  remained  till  his  death 
Nov.  16,  1756.  He  preached  the  Election  Sermon  May  10,  1744  ;  which  shows  strong  sympathy 
with  the  Conservative  side  in  the  Whitefieldian  Controversies. 

8  Probably  Rev.  Abraham  Nott,  mentioned  ante,  p.  24. 

4  The  celebrated  evangelist  and  supporter  of  Whitefield,  Gilbert  Tennent  (born  in  Ireland, 
minister  in  Philadelphia,  died  about  1765)  to  Rev.  Benjamin  Lord  of  Norwich.  Mr.  Lord  was  born 
at  Saybrook  May  31,  1694 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1714 ;  ordained  at  Norwich  (explicitly  renouncing  the  Say- 
brook  Platform)  Nov.  20,  1717.  He  was  a  supporter  of  Whitefield  but  disapproved  of  the  excesses  of 


1742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  79 

and  ye  moravian  brethren  ;  I  pray  God  to  Save  us  from  error. 
keep  and  guide  us  in  this  difficult  day 

—  31.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Eph.  i.  13.      ... 

Less  difficulty  than  at  sometimes.     Thanks  be  to  God. 

Feb:  begins 
Feby.  2.     This  day  went  to  Windsor,  association  met  &c. 

—  3.     This  day  lecture  at  Windsor.     Mr.  Colton  preached  from 

Josh.  24,  returned  home  found  my  family  well 

—  4.     This  day  lecture     Mr.   Colton  preached  from  Joh.    i.   29. 

at  night  I  preached  a  Lecture  at  Mr.  Churches  from  luk.  14.  17. 

—  5.     Study  &c.     finished  reading  Doctr.  Watts  his  improvment  of 

ye  mind,  or  supplement  &c.  An  excellent  book,  in  w°.  he  Con- 
siders ye  five  methods  of  improvment  which  are  i  observation. 
2.  reading.  3.  Instruction  by  lectures.  4.  Conversation,  and 
5.  Study. 

—  7.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Zech.  6.  12.  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacraments.  Joseph  Shepherd  Junr.  and  Mary  ye 
wife  of  Wm.  Nickols  were  taken  into  ye  chh. 

—  8.     reading  Neals  History  of  New=England  &°. 

-  9.     reading  Neal  &c.     recd.  a  letter  from  Mr.  Sergeant 

—  10.     Lecture  Mr.  Lockwood  preached  from  Job.  36.  13.  and  from 

rev.  2.  21. 

—  14.     Lords  day  I  preached     ...     I  pray  god  to  bless  w*  I 

have  spoken     .     .     . 

—  1 8.     Kept  a  fast  at  Eb.  Williamsons  on  ace'  of  his  wife  who  is 

sorely  visited  and  distressed,     preached  a  sermon  from  i  pet. 
5.  8.         at  night  preached  at  Mr.  Churches  from  heb.  3.  7. 
-21.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Joseph  ye  son 
of    Thomas    Croswell   and   Nathaniel    ye   son    of    Diostheus 
Humphreys. 

—  22.     This  day  visiting  y*  Sick  &c.      .      .      .      o  yl  I  might  know 

thy  mind  and  will  with  respect  to  our  religious  affairs     .     .     . 

-  25.     This  day  a  lecture  I  preached  from  rom.  8.  i. 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Elizabeth  ye 

daughter  of  Nehemiah  Smith. 

March  begins 

Mch.  3.     This  day  spent   in   business  about    Dividing  ye  Gove"' 
Estate. 

—  4.     This  day  as  ye  former.     I  find  it  very  uncomfortable  to  be 

thus  busied  about  ye  world 


some  of  his  followers.     He  was  trustee  of  Y.  C.  from  1740  to  1772 ;  published  many  sermons,  among 
them  the  Election  Sermon  May  12,  1751.     He  died  March  31,  1784. 


8o  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1742 

-  5.     This  day  reading  Caldwells  Sermons  French  prophets'  &c. 
-7.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:      .      .      .     and  administred  ye 

Sacrament  and  P.M:  Mr.  Burr  preached      .      .      .      Mary  ye 
daughter  of  Mr.  George  Wyllys  was  baptized. 

—  8.     Visited  a  poor  distressed  woman.     Mr.  Clap  here,     a  comet 

appeared  in  northeast  about  a  fortnight  ago. 

-  9.     .      .      .      nil  remarkable  occurs.     Mr.  Williamson  in  great 

distress 

-  10.     At  night  preached  a  lecture  to  ye  Negroes.     I  pray  God  to 

bless  it  to  ym. 

—  ii.     This  day  study,  had  a  lecture  in  the  afternoon     Mr.  Newel 

preached  from  Joh.  21.  22. 

—  12.     This  day  study  &c.     Conversed  with  two  uneasy  persons 

at  night 

—  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.     .     .     .      at  Mr.  Whitmans 

meeting  and  P.M  at  my  own     .     .     . 

—  15.     .      .      .      Visited  by  some  zealous  men.     o  y*  god  would 

teach  me  my  duty  and  establish  me  in  it 

—  17.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge         found  him  no  better 

.     .     .     returned  in  safety  Laus  Deo. 

—  19.     .     .     .     ye  Widow  Goodwin  Interred,     great  is  ye  noise  and 

talk  about  religion,     o  y*  wee  might  practice  it  as  well  as  talk 
about  it. 

—  20.     .      .      .      Laboured  under  darkness  and  discouragement, 

much  discouraged  in  my  work     .     .     . 

—  21.     Lords    day   I    preached    A:m:  from    Col.  3.  6.  and  P.M: 

from  Joh.  7.  37.     ... 

—  22.     This  day  reading,  visiting  Mr.  Woodbridge  &°. 


1  Rev.  John  Caldwell,  a  minister  belonging  to  the  Presbytery  of  Boston  (a  body  whose  date 
of  origin  and  extinction  are  alike  unknown)  but  which  had  at  this  period  a  considerable  membership. 
Mr.  Caldwell  did  some  work  in  Derry,  New  Hampshire,  and  apparently  some  in  Boston. 

This  sermon  was  entitled  The  Scripture  Character  or  Masks  «f  False  Prophets  or 
Teachers.  It  was  shortly  followed  by  another  called  The  Nature,  Folly  and  Evil  of  rash  and 
uncharitable  Judging.  Both  sermons  were  preached  in  what  was  known  as  the  French  Church 
in  School  Street  in  Boston,  an  organization  whose  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Lemercier,  was  connected  with 
the  Presbytery.  The  church  became  extinct  about  1748.  Rev.  James  Robie  of  Kilsyth,  Scotland, 
in  his  preface  to  the  Christian  Monthly  History,  dated  Nov.  15,  1743,  accuses  this  James  Cald- 
well as  an  imposter,  a  thief  and  a  man  who  under  his  real  name  Thompton,  was  under  ministerial 
disgrace  in  Ireland.  Mr.  Robie's  allegations  suffer  some  measure  of  discredit,  however,  by  his  im- 
mediately coupling  with  this  statement  respecting  Caldwell  a  certainly  unjustifiable  reflection  upon 
Rev.  Samuel  Mather  of  Boston,  "a  Known  Enemy  to  this  Work,"  who  was,  he  affirms,  "  dismissed 
by  the  Majority  of  his  own  Congregation  because  his  Character  was  such  both  in  regard  to  Life  and 
Principles,  as  he  could  be  no  longer  useful  among  them."  Mr.  Mather's  honorable  ministry  in 
England  after  his  most  incorrectly  represented  dismission  from  Boston,  is  a  sufficient  answer  to  this 
insinuation.  The  fact  is,  partisans  on  both  sides  of  the  Revival  question  were  too  ready  to  asperse, 
not  the  opinions  only,  but  the  character  of  their  opponents. 


1742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  Si 

—  23.     .      .      .      Mr.  Hart1  of  S:  brook  here.     recd.  a  letter  from 

Mr.  Worthington. 

—  24.     .     .     .     preached  a  lecture  at  night  at  Thomas  Ensigns 

from  luk.  14.  17. 

—  25.     Mr.  Edwards  preached  a  lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting 

from  heb.  5.  7.  8.  and  Mr.  Rogers  at  our  meeting  from  luk.  7.  47. 

—  26.     .      .      .      Visited  Anne  Williamson,  found  her  something 

more  rational.     I  pray  God  to  restore  her  to  her  right  mind. 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  rom  6.  n.  and  bap- 

tized Marianne  ye  daughter  of  Mr.  Wm.  Keith.     .     .     . 

—  29.     This  day  ye  Association  met  at  Mr.  Whitmans.    Discoursed 

upon  ye  business  &c.  One  Grant  complained  of  Mr.  Collins* 
for  teaching  y*  Crist  was  ye  Son  of  God  by  eternal  generation 

—  31.     This  day  Mr.  Steel  preached  from  Isai.  53.  3.     ye  associa- 

tion broke  up. 

April  begins 

Apl.  i.  When  people  murmur  ag'.  and  chide  with  yr  rulers  and 
teachers,  yy  should  go  to  god,  ask  help  and  direction  of  him 
Exod.  17  Numb.  20. 

—  2.     .     .     .     o  Lord  I  pray  thee  support  me  under  all  my  diffi- 

culties.    .     .     . 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  and  administred  ye  Sacrament  .   .   .   , 

baptized  John  ye  son  of  Timothy  Biggelow 

—  6.     Nil  remarkable  occurs,  save  y1  I  saw  a  man  in  a  very  un- 

comfortable condition.  I  Intend  to  reprove  him  if  God  give 
me  opportunity. 

—  7.     a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer     in  ye  forenoon  I  preached  from 

Isai:  26.  9.  and  P:M  Mr.  Whitman  from  Exod.  33.     ... 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  luk.  12.  5.  and  P:M.  from 

luk.  12.  31. 

—  12.     This  day  Freemans  meeting.     I  preached  from  2  Sam.  23, 

3.  Joseph  Pitkin  &  Joseph  Buckingham  were  chosen  Depu- 
ties. ye  Lot  is  Cast  into  ye  Lap  but  ye  disposing  of  ye  matter 
is  yet  of  ye  Lord. 

-  13.     This  day  visiting  &c.     brother  Lewis  and  sister  here.     recd. 
a  letter  from  Mr.  Nott. 


1  Rev.  William  Hart  of  Saybrook,  born  in  East  Guilford,  May  (or  March)  9,  1713 ;  grad.  Y. 
C.  1732  ;  ordained  at  Saybrook,  Nov.  17,  1736  ;  died  in  that  pastorate  July  n,  1784.  A  conservative 
"Old  Light"  theologian  and  a  powerful  controversialist,  publishing  many  pamphlets  on  current 
questions. 

a  Rev.  Timothy  Collins,  born  at  Guilford,  April   13,    1699 ;   grad.   Y.  C.  1718  ;  ordained  at 
Litchfield,  June  20,  1723  ;  dismissed  Nov.  15,  1752  ;  continued  to  live  at  Litchfield  engaged  in  medi- 
cal practice  and  civil  duties  till  his  death  in   February,  1777.     He  was  an  "  Old  Light,"  and  his 
dismission  from  his  parish  was  said  to  be  largely  owing  to  intrigues  against  him  by  Dr.  Bellamy. 
II 


82  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1742 

—  14.     .     .     .     At  night  married  Sam".  Welles  and  Susanna  Dick- 

enson. 

—  17.     This  day  in  Study,     one  informed  me  y*  one  of  ye  Itinerant 

preachers  desired  him  to  tell  me  y*  I  preached  nothing  but 
myself,  if  it  be  true  y'  I  do  so,  I  pray  God  to  shew  it  me  & 
teach  me  to  preach  christ  &  him  crucified;  if  it  be  false,  as  it 
is,  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  I  pray  God  to  give  y*  man  grace 
to  repent  of  his  rash  censure 

—  18.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  i  tim:  2.  19.  and  P.M: 

from  Hoz.  8.  12.  went  thro  my  work  with  some  difficulty. 
Sarah  Spencer  propounded  for  admission  to  communion  with 
ye  church. 

—  23.     The  news  of  Sr.  Robert  Walpoles  resigning  his  posts  and 

ye  change  of  ye  ministry  at  home  comes  vouched. 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Abigail  ye 

daughter  of  John  Turner. 

—  26.     Went  to  visit  Mr.  Woodbridge  &c.     I  pray  God  to  deal 

graciously  with  him     .     .     . 

—  29.     Lecture  in  ye  afternoon  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting.     Mr. 

Marsh  preached  from  Matt.  5.  6. 

May  begins. 

May  2.  Lords  day  I  preached  .  .  .  and  administred  ye  Sacra- 
ment, and  admitted  Sarah  Spencer  and  Jerusha  Andrews  to 
communion  with  ye  chh.  .  .  . 

—  3.     This  day  reading  Rutherford  ag4  ye  Antinomians  &c.      I 

pray  God  .  .  .  preserve  me,  my  people  &  ye  people  of  this 
Land  from  yr.  errors 

—  4.     ...     at  night  a  refreshing  conversation  with  Mr.  Hop- 

kins    .     .     . 

—  6.     This  day  in  Study,     o  Lord  God  appear  I  pray  for  ye  help 

of  this  Town.     Save  us  from  Contention  and  Confusion. 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached    .    .     .    Laboured  under  much  weak- 

ness    .     .     . 

—  ii.     Went  to  ye  West  Division  &c         ye  ministers  begin  to  meet 

—  12.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge     I  pray  God  to  heal  him. 

I  thank  him  y*  he  has  bro't  so  many  of  my  friends  here  in 
safety 

—  13.     This  day  Election  &c.     ye  Govern'.  Jonathan  Law1  Esqr., 


1  Jonathan  Law,  born  at  Milford,  Aug.  6,  1674  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1695  ;  died  in  office  as  Governor 
Nov.  9,  1750.  He  was  opposed  to  the  Itinerators  and  forward  in  promoting  the  repressive  legisla- 
tion enacted  at  this  session. 


1742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  83 

Roger  Wolcot1  Esqr.  Dep.  Gov:  assistants  as  in  ye  year  past 
with  the  addition  of  Roger  Newton  Esqr.  Mr.  Stiles3  preached 
from  psal.  147.  2. 

—  14.     This  day     .     .     .     news  y1  a  ship  Load  of  Moravians  lay 

of  at  Fishers  Island. 

—  15.     This  day     .     .     .     wearied  with  ye  fatigues  of  ye  week.     O 

that  I  might  have  rest  in  God 

—  16.     .     .     .     being  Lords  day  Mr.  Stiles  preached  for  me  A:M. 

from  Isai.  55.  3.  and  Mr.  Campbell  P.  M:  from  Eph.  2:   12. 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from   i.  Joh.  2.  6.     a  hot 

day.  Laboured  under  considerable  difficulty.  O  Lord  help  a 
poor  worm. 

—  24.     This  day  prayed  at  Court     .     .     .     there  is  news  y*  Mason 

is  arrived.  May  this  Gov4.  be  guarded  ag'.  his  unrighteous 
pretentions. 

—  25.     Mr.  Nott  here. 

—  27.     This  day  little  Study;  great  disturbance  in  ye  country  by 

Davenport  and  other  Itinerant  preachers. 

—  28.     .     .     .     this  day  ye  general  assembly  passed  a  bill  to  re- 

strain Itinerant  ministers,  and  another  to  apprehend  James 
Davenport  and  Ben:  Pumroy  and  bring  ym  before  ye  assembly3 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  act.  24.  16.  and  P:M: 

from  25.  17.     ... 

—  31.     This  day  some  reading,  visiting  and  visited;  at  night  ye 

Sheriff  bro't.  Davenport  and  Pumroy  to  Town  W  God  is 
about  to  do  with  us  I  know  not. 

June  1742. 
June  i.     This  day   Mr.  Davenport  preached  at   Daniel  Bulls,  or 


1  Roger  Wolcott,  born  in  Windsor  Jany.  4,  1679  ;  member  of  Council,  Judge,  Lieut. -Gov- 
ernor, Governor  from  1750  to  1754,  commander  of  the  Connecticut  forces  in  the  Louisburgh  expedi- 
tion of  1745,  with  the  rank  of  Major-General,  writer  of  "Poetical  Meditations"  and  a  defence  of 
the  Consociated  system  of  Church  government.  He  died  in  East  Windsor,  May  17,  1767. 

a  Rev.  Isaac  Stiles  of  North  Haven,  born  in  Windsor  July  30,  1697;  grad.  Y.  C.  1722  ;  or- 
dained at  North  Haven  Nov.  n,  1724 ;  died  in  office  May  14,  1760.  He  was  a  zealous  Old  Light ; 
and  his  sermon  on  this  Election  occasion  was  decidedly  polemic  in  its  references  to  holders  of  oppos- 
ing views,  and  is  credited  with  having  considerable  influence  in  promoting  the  stringent  legislation 
adopted  by  the  Assembly  at  this  session  against  the  Itinerating  Evangelists. 

3  This  extraordinary  Bill  proceeded  upon  the  wholly  unjustifiable  assumption  that  the  Say- 
brook  system  (accepted  by  the  Assembly  in  1708,  for  such  churches  as  agreed  thereto,  as  a  system 
established  by  law)  was  binding  upon  all  churches  irrespective  of  such  agreement.  And  it  went  on 
to  apply  its  assumption  to  the  existing  state  of  affairs  by  sundry  stringent  enactments,  limiting  the 
right  of  individual  ministers  to  preach  anywhere  out  of  their  immediate  parishes  without  consent  of 
the  settled  pastor;  punishing  any  minister  who  did  so  by  depriving  him  of  all  power  to  collect  his 
salary  in  his  own  lawful  parish  ;  while,  respecting  any  foreigner  or  person  from  outside  Connecticut 
who  should  preach  in  any  parish  without  the  minister's  consent,  it  provided  for  his  summary  arrest 
as  a  "vagrant"  and  expulsion  from  the  Colony.  Col.  Rec.,  VIII :  454-457. 


84  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1742 

rather  railed  there  if  I  am  Informed  right,  in  ye  afternoon 
Davenport  and  Pumroy  were  bro't  before  ye  generall  assem- 
bly. ye  assembly  adjourned  after  sunset  when  there  was  a 
great  tumult  occasioned  by  D:  and  P.  wc.  with  much  difficulty 
was  quelled  by  the  authority. 

—  2.     This  day  went  to  Wintonbury  to  ye  association  there.     Mr. 

White  preached  from  psal.  45.  2.  Mr.  Colton  and  myself 
chosen  Delegates  to  go  to  ye  general  assoc".  at  New  London. 
Davenport  sentenced  by  ye  Court  as  an  Enthusiast,  a  breaker  of  ye 
peace,  teaching  doctrines  destructive  to  ye  peace  and  order  of 
y*  government  and  ordered  to  be  transported  out  of  ye  Gov- 
ernmV 

—  3.     This  day  Davenport  was  shiped  for  transportation.     ye  gen11. 

assembly  adjourned  without  day;  I  pray  God  to  bless  ye  en- 
deavours to  settle  and  secure  peace  to  this  people 

—  4.     ...     had  a  lecture  in  ye  afternoon,  preached  from  psal. 

104.  34.     I  pray  God  to  bless     .     .     . 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment, and  baptized  Joseph  y*  son  of  William  Pratt 

—  7.     .     .     .     in  ye  night  its  said  y*  Pomroy  preached  at  T:  Sey- 

mours 


1  Mr.  Davenport  (see  ante,  p.  70  note)  and  Mr.  Pomroy  (p.  61  note)  were  brought  before  the 
Assembly  on  a  complaint  from  Ripton  parish  in  Stratford,  alleging  that  Davenport  and  Pomroy 
were  there  collecting  assemblies  of  people,  mostly  children  and  youth,  and  under  pretence  of  relig- 
ious exercises  were  inflaming  them  with  doctrines  subversive  of  law  and  order. 

The  hearing  occupied  two  days  and  was  in  Mr.  Wadsworth's  meeting  house.  The  town  was 
in  a  great  state  of  excitement.  As  the  arrested  ministers  came  out  on  to  the  meeting-house  steps, 
at  the  end  of  the  first  day's  hearing,  Davenport  commenced  a  violent  harangue  to  the  crowds  about 
the  door.  The  sheriff  took  hold  of  his  sleeve  to  lead  him  away.  "  He  instantly  fell  apraying, 
Lord,  thou  knowest  somebody's  got  hold  of  my  sleeve.  Strike  them  Lord !  strike  them ! "  Mr. 
Pomroy  also  called  out  to  the  sheriff,  "  Take  heed  how  you  do  that  heaven-daring  action  ;  the  God 
of  heaven  will  surely  avenge  it  on  you." 

For  awhile  it  looked  as  if  the  prisoners  would  be  taken  out  of  the  sheriff's  hands.  The  night 
was  little  less  than  a  riot.  The  house  where  the  ministers  were  lodged  was  surrounded  by  an  angry 
multitude,  with  difficulty  dispersed  by  the  magistrates.  In  the  morning  forty  militia  men  were 
ordered  under  arms  to  preserve  the  peace. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  second  day's  hearing  the  Assembly  adjudged  that  though  Mr. 
Davenport's  doctrines  and  behavior  had  "  a  natural  tendency  to  destroy  the  peace  and  order  of  the 
government,"  yet  as  it  appeared  that  he  was  "  disturbed  in  the  rational  faculties  of  his  mind  "  he 
was  to  be  "  pitied  and  compassionated  and  not  treated  as  he  otherwise  might  be."  The  Assembly, 
therefore,  under  the  provisions  of  the  act  respecting  "  strangers  and  foreigners  "  just  passed,  ordered 
Mr.  Davenport  to  be  sent  to  Southold,  out  of  the  jurisdiction.  And  so  about  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  between  "  two  files  of  musketiers,"  Mr.  Davenport  was  marched  down  from  the  meeting 
house  to  the  Connecticut  river,  and  put  aboard  the  vessel  of  one  Mr.  Whitmore.  who,  having  re- 
ceived his  charge,  set  sail  immediately.  There  will  be  occasion  to  notice  Mr.  Davenport's  later 
history  hereafter. 

Mr.  Pomroy  was  discharged  without  penalty.  Indeed,  it  will  be  observed  by  Mr.  Wads- 
worth's  entry  in  his  Diary,  five  days  later,  that  Mr.  Pomroy  was  still  in  town  and  holding  a  meet- 
ing at  the  house  of  Mr.  Thomas  Seymour. 


1742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  85 

—  8.     Mr.  H:  of  meriden  here.     Visited  a  distracted  woman  and 

an  erroneous  man.  Mr.  Eliot  here  at  night,  a  pleasant  con- 
versation 

—  10.    .     .     .    nil  remarkable  occurs,  at  night  married  Levi  Jones 

and  Elizabeth  Cook. 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Jonathan  ye 

Son  of  Benjamin  Richards  and  catechised  ye  children. 

—  14.     This  day  set  out  for  New.London  went  as  far  as  Colchester, 

a  comfortable  Journey.     .     .     . 

—  15.     This  day  went  to  New=London         much  pleased  and  I 

hope  edified  with  ye  good  Conversation  of  ye  grave  and  vener- 
able Mr.  Adams.1  Ye  Gen11.  Association  formed.  Mr.  Adams 
moderator.  Mr.  Colton  Scribe 

—  1 6.     A  Lecture  Mr.  Colton  preached  from  Col:  4.  12.  Lat.  part. 

Somethings  uncomfortable  happened  after  ye  Exercise  was 
over.  I  pray  y*  it  may  be  overruled  for  good 

—  17.     ye  Gen11  Association  brake  up"     ye  next  is  to  be  at  Fairfield 

on  ye  3d  Tuesday  of  June  next,  at  Mr.  Hobarts.  returned  as 
far  as  Colchester. 

—  18.     This  day  got  home,  found  my  family  well,  for  wc  I  magnify 

&  praise  ye  great  and  glorious  God 

—  20.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  John  y*  son 

of  John  Bidwell 

—  21.     This  day  reading  Conversation  &c.     great  is  ye  talk  about 

religion,  O  y*  wee  might  practice  it  as  well  as  discourse  about  it 

—  22.     This  day  went  to  ye  Association  on  ye  East  Side  of  ye  River 

at  Hartford  advised  ye  people  to  settle  a  Colleague  with 
Mr.  Woodbridge  &  honourably  to  support  Mr.  Woodbridge.3 


1  Rev.  Eliphalet  Adams  of  New  London.     He  was  born  at  Dedhara,  Mass.,  March  26,  1677  ; 
grad.  H.  C.  1694;  ordained  at  New  London  Feb.  9,  1708-9.     A  trustee  of  Y.  C.  from  1720  to  1738; 
published  several  sermons,  among  which  are  two  Election  Sermons,  1710  and  1733.     He  died  Oct. 

4.  1753- 

2  This  meeting  of  the  General  Association  put  on  record  its  "  Thankfulness  to  God  the  Father 
of  Mercies  "  for  his  grace  in  "  Stirring  up  Great  Numbers  among  us  to  a  Concern  for  their  Souls  "  ; 
but  expressed  its  conviction  that  "the  Great  Enemy  of  Souls  who  is  ever  ready  with  his  Devices  to 
Check,  Damp  &  Destroy  if  possible  the  Work  of  God,  is  very  busy  for  that  purpose."     Wherefore  it 
felt  constrained  to  exhort,  among  other  things,   "  That  seasonable  and  due  testimony  be  borne 
against  such  Errors  and  Irregularities  as  doe  already  prevail  among  some  persons,  As  Particularly 
the  Depending  upon  &  following  Impulses  &  impressions  made  on  the  mind  as  tho'  they  were  Im- 
mediate Revelations  of  Some  truth  or  Duty  that  is  not    Reveal'd  in  the  Word  of  God  —  Laying  too 
much  Weight  upon  bodily  agitations,  Raptures,  Extacies,  Visions  &c  —  Ministers  disorderly  intrud- 
ing into  other  Ministers'   parishes — Laymen  taking  it   upon  them  in   an   unwarrantable  manner 
publickly  to  teach  and  Exhort  —  Rash  Censuring  &  Judging  of  others,"  etc.,  etc. 

8  Rev.  Samuel  Woodbridge  had  now  for  a  good  while  been  unable  to  discharge  the  duties  of 
his  office  by  reason  of  his  invalidism.  Several  ministers  had  already  preached  in  East  Hartford 
temporarily  ;  and  the  Association  now  advised  a  colleagueship.  Propositions  were  accordingly  made 
to  several  persons  successively,  but  for  one  reason  or  other  in  vain. 


86  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1742 

—  23.     This  day  advised  ye  people  on  ye  East  Side  to  invite  Mr. 

Chauncey  Whittlesey  to  preach  on  probation  and  in  case  he 
cant  be  obtained  then  to  apply  to  Mr.  Willm.  Adams.1  Mr. 
Whitman  preached  a  Lecture  from  Eph.  i.  13.  returned  home 
found  my  family  well  for  which  I  bless  god. 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached      .      .      .      and  in  ye  Evening  to  ye 

negroes  at  ye  School  house 2  from  Mark  8.  36.     ... 

—  29.     ..      .      went  to  Farmington.      Saw  my  friends  in  usual 

health.     Laus  Deo.     recd.  of  my  brother  Jno'  £20.  10. 

—  30.     this  day  returned  home,  found  my  wife  not  well  I  pray  god 

to  heal  her ;  found  Mr.  Chaunceys  Sermon  this  day  upon  ye 
outpouring  of  y"  Spirit,  an  excellent  discourse.3  May  it  be 
blessed  to  me  and  others ;  o  y'  God  would  put  a  stop  to  the 
Enthusiasm  y*  prevails  in  ye  Land. 

July  begins. 

July  i.     This  day  paied  Capt:  Hooker  ^10:  1 1":  o  which  I  borrowed 
of  him  May  30*. 

—  2.     This  day  spent  much  of  it  in  a  hurry  of  worldly  business, 

blessed  be  God  y*  has  carried  mee  so  well  thro'  it.  in  y*  after- 
noon Mr.  Whitman  preached  a  lecture  from  rev.  i.  12. 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  rev.  i.  5.  and  administred 

y'  Sacrament  of  ye  Lords  Supper  and  P:  M:  from  Jam.  2:  8. 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  Salmon  brook          found  ye  people  in  very 

uncomfortable  circumstances.     I  pray  God  to  heal  yr  divisions4 

—  6.     This  day  finished  ye  Salmon  brook  affair  and  returned  home. 

—  9.     The  news  comes  of  Davenport  being  excluded  y'  pulpits  in 

Boston.  I  hope  it  will  be  a  means  of  stopping  him  in  his  mad 
career 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Eph.  2.  10     .     .     . 

—  12.     .      .      .      O    Lord    God    Almighty    I    pray   thee  prevent 


1  William  Adams,  son  of  Rev.  Eliphalet  of  New  London.     Born  Oct.  7,  1710 ;  grad.  Y.  C. 
1730 ;  tutor  there  1732-34  ;  a  preacher  for  more  than  sixty  years,  but  never  ordained  and  never 
married,  saying  he  could  not  have  the  burthen  of  a  parish  or  a  wife.     His  work  was  done  chiefly  in 
the  vicinity  of  New   London,  on  Shelter  Island,  and   the  Eastern  end  of   Long  Island,  though  his 
latest  years  found  him  in  New  London,  where  he  died  Aug.  25,  1798. 

2  "  The  School  house  "  stood  in  what  is  now  called  Main  Street,  then  a  hundred  feet  wide,  in 
front  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  "  Linden  "  building. 

3  Rev.  Charles  Chauncey  of  the   First  Church  of   Boston  ;  born  Jan.  i,  1705  ;  grad.  H.  C. 
1721 ;  ordained  at  Boston  First  Church  Oct.  25,  1727  ;  died  Feb.  10,  1787,  x.  82. 

4  The  Salmon  brook  Society  in  Simsbury  had  called   Rev.  Eli  Colton,  son  of   Rev.  Benjamin 
Colton  of  West  Hartford,  sometime  in  1740  or  41.     But  difficulties  arose,  the  Society  would  not  pay 
him  the  stipulated  salary ;  and  at  the  advice  of  the  Association  given  in  October,  1742,  Mr.  Colton 
withdrew.    He  was  afterward  settled  at  Stafford,  where  he  was  called  Sept.  14,  1744,  and  died  there 
in  office  June  8,  1756.     He  was  born  at  West  Hartford  Aug.  8,  1716,  and  grad.  at  Y.  C.  in  1737. 


1742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  87 

ye  unhappy  division  and  separation  y'  is  threatened  in  this 
Town.  Calm  ye  minds  and  turn  ye  hearts  of  those  y'  may  be 
attempting  of  it.  Let  ym  see  ye  sin  and  danger  of  it,  and  be 
diverted  from  it,  if  it  may  be  thine  holy  will:1 

-  14.  This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge  found  him  better  than 
usual  .  .  .  o  y'  God  would  prevent  any  unhappy  divisions 
in  this  Town  wc  wee  seem  to  be  in  danger  of.  ...  This 
day  Jonah  Gross  came  Home,  he  was  taken  by  ye  Spaniards 
May  30.  1741  and  carried  to  Porto  Valla  from  there  to  Leguvia, 
from  thence  over  Land  to  Crokus  and  kept  in  prison  there  till 
sometime  in  april  Last  and  then  released.  May  god  give  him 
a  thankful  heart  for  his  deliverance 

—  15.     This  day     .     .     .      rejoyced  at  the  return  of  one  of  my 

people  from  Captivity. 

—  1 6.     This  day  in  study,  ye  news  paper  informs  y'  a  warrant  was 

Issued  in  Boston  to  apprehend  one  Sam11.  Green  a  noted  enhab. 
for  blasphemy. 

—  1 8.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Col.  i.  28.  and  at 

night  to  ye  negroes  at  ye  school  house.     .     .     . 

—  19.     This  day  reckoned  with  Mr.  Austin  y*  whole  of  my  account 

with  him  was  ^16.  7.  i.  .  .  .  I  am  still  in  his  debt  12 
shillings. 

This  day  also  four  men  from  Colchester  were  bro't  to  prison  for 
breach  of  ye  Law  Lately  made  for  Restraining  and  Correcting 
abuses  in  ecclesiastical  affairs  —  but  I  since  hear  it  was  for 
holding  a  Separate  meeting  upon  ye  Sabbath  Contrary  to  y"  old 


1  The  present  writer  has  undertaken  no  responsibility  for  the  defence  of  Mr.  Wadsworth's 
views  and  anxieties  about  the  condition  of  things  in  his  parish  or  in  Connecticut  generally.  But  it 
is  only  fair  to  him  to  remember  certain  incontestable  facts.  Not  only  had  Mr.  Whitefield  in  his 
journey  through  New  England  publicly  inveighed  against  a  majority  of  the  ministry  as  unconverted 
men,  and  deliberately  recorded  in  his  Journal  that  "  many,  perhaps,  most  that  preach,  I  fear  do  not 
experimentally  know  Christ,"  and  that  the  colleges,  Harvard  and  Yale,  had  "  become  darkness  — 
darkness  that  may  be  felt,"  but  a  large  number  of  Mr.  Whitefield's  followers  had  exceeded  him  in 
denunciation  of  the  settled  ministers  and  in  counseling  separation  from  them.  Rev.  Gilbert  Tennent, 
who  had  preached  with  great  impression  at  Boston  a  few  months  after  Mr.  Whitefield's  first  visit, 
indulged  in  similar  censures.  Indeed,  in  his  sermon  dedicated  to  the  people  of  Nottingham, 
Pennsylvania,  he  represents  the  body  of  the  "  Clergy  of  this  generation  "  as  "  varlets,"  "  the  seed 
of  the  Old  Serpent,"  "men  whom  the  devil  drives  into  the  ministry,"  "blind  and  dead  men," 
"  rebels  and  enemies  to  God,"  "  dead  drones,"  "  dupes,"  "children  of  Satan." 

Such  preachings  as  these  could  not  be  without  divisive  results.  Almost  every  town  in  Connec- 
ticut was  actually  in  a  turmoil.  Every  parish  had  its  sympathizers  with  the  itinerating  revolution- 
ists. Many  parishes  were  disrupted  and  permanently  divided.  Many  ministers  were  harried  out 
of  their  pulpits  and  their  livings  by  parties  raised  up  against  them  among  those  they  had  baptized 
and  welcomed  to  church  fellowship.  The  signs  of  such  possible  results  were  visible  wherever  Mr. 
Wadsworth  could  turn  his  eyes.  His  own  Society  and  those  of  his  neighbors  Whitman  and  Colton 
were  sorely  disquieted.  Whether  a  different  course  on  his  part  would  have  averted  any  of  these 
tribulations  is  at  least  an  open  question.  That  the  tribulations  were  actual  and  ominous  of  lasting 
calamity  there  can  be  no  dispute. 


88  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1742 

Law  ye  penalty  for  wc.  is  2os.  yr  were  fined  but  wo'd  not  pay 
it  and  so  ye  authority  was  obliged  to  send  ym  to  Jail 

—  20.     This  day  visiting  &c.     Uncle  Thomas  here.     I  pray  God 

mercifully  to  prevent  any  divisions  or  Sinfull  Separation  in  this 
Town. 

—  22.     This  day  reading   &c.  ye  Snake  in  the  grass.1     O  y*  god 

would  Save  us  from  a  spirit  of  blindness,  delusion  and 
enthusiasm 

—  23.     This  day  in  Study.     I  thank  God  yl  has  given  me  of  late 

so  much  Calmness  and  serenity  of  heart  and  mind  under  ye 
melancholly  prospect  of  our  religious  affairs,  verging  toward 
enthusiasm  and  Confusion.  I  pray  God  y*  I  may  be  directed 
to  and  kept  stedfast  in  ye  way  of  my  duty,  and  y'  my  people 
may  be  saved  from  error,  enthusiasm  and  Confusion,  be  con- 
verted &  built  up  in  holiness. 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Dorothy  ye 

daughter  of  Daniel  Goodwin.  Staied  ye  church  and  Chose  a 
Comttee.  with  me  to  admit  preachers.3 

—  26.     .     .     .     Mr.  White  of  B  here,  refreshed  with  his  company. 

—  27.     .      .      .      Mr.  Merrick3  of  Sp:  here,     a  very  warm  day,  I 

pray  God  to  save  from  divisions  his  churches  in  this  Town. 

—  28.     .     .     .     visited  some  of  my  people:  I  pray  God  to  bless 

and  direct  ym  Save  ym  from  error,  prevent  their  being  Led 
astray  by  such  as  creep  into  houses  to  Lead  captive  ye  Silly 

—  29.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  division,  returned  and  visited 

some  uneasy  people,  I  pray  God  to  save  ym  from  an  unchristian 
temper  and  practice  .  .  . 

August  begins 

Aug.  i.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:     .     .     .     and  P.M:  Mr.  Mori- 
son  preached  for  me  from  heb.  13.  i.     .     .     . 

—  2.     This  day     .     .     .     read  Mr.  Chaunceys  Sermon*  upon  &c.    I 


1  The  Snake  in  the  Grass,  or  Satan  Transformed  into  an  Angel  of  Light,  a  tractate  by 
Charles  Leslie,  "  Discovering  the  deep  and  unsuspected  subtlety  which  is  Couched  under  the  pre- 
tended simplicity  of  many  of  the  principal  leaders  of  the  people  called  Quakers."  First  published 
in  1696,  but  having  several  subsequent  editions. 

a  With  characteristic  caution  Mr.  Wadsworth  brought  the  question  of  the  determination  of 
what  preachers  should  (under  the  existing  state  of  the  law  and  of  popular  sentiment)  be  allowed  to 
preach  in  his  parish  before  the  Church  and  secured  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  divide  the 
responsibility  with  him. 

3  Rev.  Noah  Merrick,  born  at  West  Springfield,  Aug.  6,  1711 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1731 ;  preached 
awhile  at  Brimfield  and  Hadley  ;  ordained  at  Springfield  Mountains  (now  Wilbraham)  June  10, 
1741  ;  died  in  office  Dec.  22,  1776. 

4  Probably   Chauncey's  sermon  on   Enthusiasm  Described  and  Cautioned  Against,  pub- 
lished this  year.     This  sermon  was  in  criticism  and  discouragement  of  the  extravagances  which  had 
followed  the  early  stages  of  the  revival  period  ;   and  was  a  forerunner  of  Dr.  Chauncey's  larger 
work  published  the  following  year,  entitled  Seasonable  Thoughts  on  the  State  of  Religion. 


1742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  89 

pray  God  it  may  be  blessed  to  all  into  whose  hands  it  may 
come  and  be  a  happy  means  of  Stemming  the  torrent  of  en- 
thusiasm and  disorder  y'  has  been  prevailing  in  ye  Land,  heard 
y*  Georgia  was  taken  by  ye  Spaniards 

—  4.     .      .     .     Sister  Hooker  delivered   of  a  Son.      the  news  of 

Georgia  being  taken  further  confirmed. 

—  5.     At  night  I  heard  y'  Amos  Munson  '  was  Committed  to  prison 

for  holding  forth  at  Colchester  contrary  to  Law.     pag.  511. 

—  6.     This  day  in  Study,     at  night  Amos  Munson  held  forth  in  ye 

Goal,3  many  people  to  hear  him,  o  y'  God  would  appear  for  our 
help  and  deliver  us  from  these  delusions. 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  ffom  rev.  3.  i.  and  P.M:  from 

heb.  4.  3.     o  that  god  would  bless  w'  I  have  spoken     .     .     . 

—  9.     This  day  in  Secular  business  &c.     visited  Mr.  Woodbridge 

in  ye  afternoon.  This  day  an  Itinerant  preacher  came  to 
Town,  preached  at  night  at  ye  west  side  of  ye  Town. 

—  10.     This  day  in  Study  and  other  affairs     Two  men  from  Col- 

chester committed  to  Goal  for  holding  a  separate  meeting  on 
ye  Sabbath  contrary  to  Law  page  290.  Y'  is  for  refusing  to 
pay  y'  penalty  in  that  Case  provided 

—  ii.     Visited  Amos  Munson  in  prison,  find  him  tho'  zealous  yet 

wildish  and  scatter  brained,  I  pray  God  to  restore  him  to  a 
sound  mind 

—  13.     Mr.  little8  here;  much  confusion  in  ye  Country,     o  Lord 

appear  for  our  help  I  pray.  Lord  guide  and  direct  magistrates, 
ministers  and  people  in  their  duty  o  god  I  Intreat,  and 
especially  afford  Guidance  unto  me  thine  unworthy  servant 

—  14.     Laboured  under  a  considerable  disquiet  Last  night  my  rest 

much  broken  by  reason  of  ye  confusions  of  ye  present  times. 
Lord  god  almighty  support  and  strengthen  me  I  pray,  prepare 
me  for  ye  duties  of  thine  holy  sabbath 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Col.  i.  12  and  P.M.  from 

2  Cor.  5.  10  and  baptized  Elijah  ye  son  of  Samuel  Andrews, 
and  Moses  y*  son  of  Joseph  Shepherd  Junr.  .  .  . 


1  Amos  Munson,  born  at  New  Haven,  April  9,  1719  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1738  ;  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  New  Haven  Association,  Sept.  30,  1740,  but  so  embraced  the  new  measures  that  the  Associa- 
tion remonstrated  with  him  as  preaching  "  in  a  manner  which  we  think  disorderly."  He  was  never 
ordained,  and  became  in  May,  1742,  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Separatist  Church  in  New 
Haven.  He  died  at  29  years  of  age,  in  1748. 

a  The  jail  at  this  time  stood  on  the  north  side  of  Court  House  Square,  a  little  easterly  from 
the  present  Courant  building. 

8  Rev.  Ephraim  Little  of  Colchester,  born  at  Scituate,  Mass.;  grad.  H.  C.  1728  ;  ordained  at 
Colchester  Sept.  20,  1732,  died  in  office  June,  1787.  An  Old  Light  in  the  present  tribulations. 

12 


90  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1742 

—  18.     This  day  went  to  a  Councel  at  ye  West  Division,     entered 

upon  ye  Case.1 

—  1 8.     Spent  at  ye  West  Division  in  Councel  &c.     returned  home, 

found  my  family  well.     Laus  Deo. 

—  20.     This  day     .     .     .     toward  night  a  Court  at  Coin1.  Stanleys, 

Seth  Youngs  sentenced  to  be  bound  to  his  good  behaviour  for 
exhorting  contrary  to  Law,  but  refusing  to  give  bond  was  in 
ye  evening  committed  to  Goal 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Elizabeth  ye 

daughter  of  John  Skinner  and  Lois  ye  daughter  of  Michael 
Burnham:  catechised  ye  children  at  night 

—  23.     This  day     .     .     .     saw  a  poor  distressed  creature,  a  sick 

man  &°.  I  pray  god  have  mercy  on  ym  both  according  to  yr 
necessity,  this  day  ye  conjunction  of  Saturn  and  Jupiter  in 
Leo  so  much  talked  of 

—  24.     .     .     .     Considerable   tumults  and  commotions  are  still 

among  us  an  ugly  squabble  happened  last  night  at  ye 
Goal.  .  .  . 

—  27.     This  day  in  Study.     ye  news  from  Boston  comes  y'  James 

Davenport  is  imprisoned  there.* 

—  28.     This  day    ...    nil  remarkable  occurs,  save  y*  Mr.  Wood- 

bridge  of  Simsbury 3  died  very  suddenly  in  the  forenoon  as  I 
heard  at  night. 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  luk.  21.  36.  and  in  ye 

evening  at  the  school-house  from  Deut.  32.  29 

—  30.     This  day  went  to  Symsbury.     Mr.  Marsh  preached  a  funeral 

Sermon  from  Matt.  24.  46.  y*  Revd.  Mr.  Woodbridge  was  In- 
terred. 


1  This  was  but  one  of  several  councils  which  the  disturbed  condition  of  matters  in  the  West 
Hartford  parish  caused  to  be  summoned.  Rev.  Dr.  Nathan  Perkins  in  his  Half  Century  Sermon, 
preached  in  1822,  says  :  "  During  the  Rev.  Mr.  Colton's  ministry,  the  church  and  parish,  as  appears 
from  authentic  documents,  had  a  most  unhappy  period,  for  four  or  five  years,  of  very  great  and 
cruel  divisions  and  contentions,  which  could  not  be  healed  and  adjusted  but  by  calling  in  two  whole 
Consociations,  that  of  Hartford  County  and  Litchfield  County." 

3  Mr.  Davenport  was  interviewed  by  the  Boston  ministers  on  his  arrival,  June  28,  but  they 
received  no  satisfaction  and  united  in  a  Declaration  disapproving  his  course.  This  led  to  violent 
denunciations  by  him  in  his  street  preaching,  and  these  to  his  apprehension  and  imprisonment, 
August  21.  On  examination,  however,  he  was  adjudged  insane,  and  sent  home.  Mr.  Davenport 
continued  his  erratic  course,  and  with  increasing  extravagances,  sometime  longer.  A  provi- 
dential illness,  however,  put  a  pause  to  his  travels,  and  this,  with  expostulations  from  Revs.  Messrs. 
Solomon  Williams  and  Eleazer  Wheelock,  availed  to  secure  from  him  a  public  Confession  and  Re- 
traction published  in  the  Boston  Gazette  in  August,  1744.  His  later  ministerial  services  were  per- 
formed in  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  interrupted  by  a  missionary  tour  in  Virginia.  He  died  the 
loth  of  November,  1757.  He  was  doubtless  a  good  man,  but  of  an  excitable  and  unbalanced 
judgment. 

*  A  nte,  p.  48. 


1742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  91 

—  31.     This  day  Doctr.  Chauncey  at  my  house  a  pleasant  conver- 

sation.    .     .     . 

September,  1742. 

Sept.  2.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  preached  a  Lecture 
from  John  6.  33. 

—  3.     This  day     .     .     .     visited  Mr.  Woodbridge     found  him  bet- 

ter Laus  Deo. 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment    .     .     .     felt  weak  and  indisposed. 

—  6.     This  day  set  out  on  a  Journey  to  N:  Haven.     Lodged  at 

Wallingford,  a  refreshing  conversation  there. 

—  7.     This  day  got  to  New-Haven  safe  and  in  health  Laus  Deo. 

—  8.     This  day  Commencement.     ye  affairs  of  it  conducted  with 

considerable  order  and  decency. 

—  9.     This  day  returned  as  far  as  Wallingford     a  kind  entertain- 

ment. 

—  10.     This  day  got  home     I  found  my  family  well,  blessed  be 

god  for  it  and  y*  he  has  bro't  me  home  in  safety. 

—  12.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  tit.  2.  10.  and  P.M.  from 

gen.  39.  9.     ... 

—  15.     This  day  spent  much  of  it  at  Court,  hearing  Trial  of  Rich- 

ardson for  putting  of  Counterfeit  money.1     ye  Jury  bro't  him 
in  guilty,     poor  man     pray  God  to  give  him  repentence 

—  16.     This   day   prayed   at    Court.     .      .      .      Edward   Aldridge 

found  guilty  of  Counterfeiting  money  &c. 

-  18.     This  day  went  to  Symsbury  to  take  my  turn  in  preaching 

to  ye  bereaved  chh.a 

—  19.     Lords  day  preached  at  Symsbury  from  Ecclesiastes  12.  5. 

—  21.     This  day  freemans  meeting     Capt.  Marsh  and  Mr.  Buck- 

ingham chosen  Deputies,     rainy  weather. 

—  22.     Went  to  Farmington  Mr.  Marsh  preached  from  Deut.  33.  2. 

-  23.     .     .     .     Last  night  I  hear  was  a  sad  tumult  at  y*  goal  oc- 

casioned by  Munson  and  his  adherents 

—  25.     .     .     .     Mr.  Sewal3  here. 


1  Richardson  and  Aldridge  (mentioned  as  tried  the  next  day)  were  by  the  next  Assembly,  in 
October  following,  allowed  to  depart  out  of  the  jurisdiction,  on  payment  of  costs  of  trial,  board  at 
the  prison,  and  forty  pounds  "premium  paid  to  the  informer  against  them." 

5  According  to  a  current  usage  of  the  time,  designed  not  only  to  express  the  fellowship  of  the 
churches,  but  to  continue  awhile  to  the  family  of  the  deceased  minister  the  salary  which  his  death, 
without  such  continued  supply  of  his  pulpit,  might  at  once  interrupt. 

8  Probably  Rev.  Joseph  Sewall  of  Boston,  born  Aug.  15,  1688 ;  grad.  H.  C.  1707 ;  ordained 
colleague  with  Rev.  Ebenezer  Pemberton  at  the  Old  South  Church,  Boston,  Sept.  16,  1713  ;  died 
June  27,  1769. 


92  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1742 

—  26.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:  M:  from  rom.  5.  12.  and  P.M:  from 

Col.  4.  12.     Went  thro'  my  work  with  less  difficulty  than  at 
sometimes.     Laus  Deo.     .     .     . 

—  27.     This  day     .     .     .     reading  Pickerings  letters.     Caldwells 

Sermon  upon  uncharitable  Judging1  &c.  &e. 

—  28.     This  day  Timothy  Biggelow  first  came  to  school  to  me 

.     .     .     Visited  Mr.  Woodbridge,  found  him  better  Laus  Deo 
-  29.     This  day  ye  afternoon  spent  in  prayer  with  M".  Williamson 
at  night  married  Job  Marsh  and  Rebecca  Pratt 

—  30.     This  day     .     .     .     in  y*  afternoon  a  Lecture  at  Mr.  Whit- 

mans meeting         Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  2  Cor.  8.  9. 

October  begins 

Oct.  i.  This  day  ...  nil  remarkable  occurs,  Saving  ye  Tergi- 
versation and  Sophistry  of  some  men.  See  y"  Evening  post 
for  monday  Last.3 

—  3.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment    .     .     . 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  Litchfield,  to  ye  association3  there. 

—  6.     This  day  Lecture  at  Litchfield     Mr.  Marsh  preached  from 

rev.  ii.  10.     a  stormy  tempestuous  day 

—  9.     This  day     .     .     .     recd.  a  letter  from  my  uncle  James  with 

an  ace"  of  ye  affairs  of  ye  East 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Laboured  under  weakness 

.     .     .     George  Alcot  owned  ye  Covenant     his  son  George 
was  baptized. 

—  12.     M.T*  Eliot  here  at  night. 

—  13.     This  day  went  to  Farmington,  preached  from  Eph.  2.  10. 

—  14.     This  day  went  to  ye  west  Division  to  a  wedding,  Daniel 

Skinner  &  Jerusha  Whiting  married  — 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  at  night  from  rom.  5. 

12.  to  ye  negroes. 

—  23.     This  day     .     .     .     brother  Lewis  here  from  Boston. 


1  Ante,  p.  80,  note. 

2  The  Evening  Post,  published  in  Boston,  began  to  be  issued  under  that  title  in  August,  1735, 
succeeding  to  a  paper  called  the  Weekly  Rehearsal.     The  article  in  the  Post  to  which  Mr.  Wads- 
worth  refers  was  a  letter  by  Rev.  Gilbert  Tennent  in  partial  disavowal  of  the  extravagancies  of 
some  of  the  revivalistic  itinerants  ;  a  disavowal,  however,  which,  in  view  of  many  of  Mr.  Tennent's 
own  and  frequent  utterances,  not  unreasonably  occasioned  the  use  by  Mr.  Wadsworth  of  the  epi- 
thets above  employed. 

3  This  Association  at  Litchfield  among  other  "  resolves"  passed  this  one  respecting  troubles 
at  Goshen :    "  This  Association  having  heard  that  some  difficultys  have  arisen  in  Goshen  by  Reason 
of  the  singing  of  Doctr.  Watts  psalms  in  publick  Worship,  wee  advise  that  for  the  present  they  use 
only  our  common  Version  of  the  psalms  of  David  in  publick  worship." 


1742]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  93 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and   baptized  Frances  ye 

daughter  of  Daniel  Brace.  recd  at  night  a  letter  from  uncle 
James  &c. 

—  27.     Mr.  Marsh  of  Kent  here  at  night. 

—  30.     This  day     .     .     .     received  a  letter  from  uncle  James  by 

Capt.  Marsh. 

—  31.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  heb.  12.  i.  and  P.M.  from 
i.  Joh.  3.  10.     Went  thro'  my  work  with  some  difficulty. 

November  begins 

Nov.  2.  This  day  County  Court.  Visited  poor  Anne  Williamson 
a  distracted  crazy  creature  I  pray  God  to  relieve  and  help 
her  and  restore  to  health  and  soundness  of  body  and  mind. 

—  3.     .     .     .     Mr.  Hopkins  of  Springfield  here. 

—  4.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture.     I  preached 

from  rev.  i.  5. 

—  7.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Cant.  i.  3.  and  adminis- 

tred  ye  Sacrament,  and  P.M:  from  i  Cor.  6.  i. 

—  10.     This  day     .     .     .     saw  somewhat  very  disagreeable  in  a 

friend,     o  y'  God  would  save  him  from  ye  destroyer 

—  ii.     This  day  a  publick  thanks  giving  throughout  Connecticutt. 

I  preached  from  psal.  118.  29.     a  very  cold  day     .     .     . 

—  12.     A  very  cold  day.     nil  remarkable  occurs.     ye  great  river 

shut. 

—  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Ezk.  22.  14,  and  P.M: 

also,  at  night  preached  to  ye  negroes  at  ye  school  house  from 
Eph.  2.  3. 

—  15.     This  day  I  went  to  Farmington  found  my  friends  in  usual 

health.  Laus  Deo.  The  great  river  froze  over  last  friday 
which  is  earlier  I  suppose  than  it  was  ever  known  to  do 

—  16.     I  returned  from  Farmington  found  my  family  well  Laus 

Deo.  I  hear  y4  last  Sabbath  was  a  Conventicle  at  D.  Bulls, 
present  of  my  people  D.  B.  and  J.  S.  I  pray  god  to  shew  ym 
ye  evil  of  so  doing 

—  21.     Lords  day  Mr.  T.  Woodbridge  of  Hatfield  preached  for  me 

A.M.  from  phil.  3.  and  Mr.  McChinstry1  P.M:  from  matt: 
n.  28. 

—  22.     .     .     .     at  night  visited  by  some  uneasy  members,  I  pray 

y'  god  would   prevent  ym  going  astray,  Save  ym  from  disorder 

1  Rev.  John  McKinstry  of  Ellington,  born  in  Scotland  ;  graduated  at  University  of  Edinburg 
1712;  awhile  at  Button,  Mass.;  installed  at  Ellington  about  1733,  though  he  had  been  resident 
there  three  years  previous ;  dismissed  1749 ;  died  January,  1753. 


94  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1743 

and  confusion,  dispose  ym  to  hearken  to  advice,  give  me  grace 
to  behave  aright  under  all  trials  and  temptations 
-  28.     Lords  day  I  preached     .    -.     ,     and  at  night  to  ye  negroes 
in  ye  school  house.     ... 

December  begins 

Dec.  i.  This  day  went  to  ye  West  Division  to  visit  Mr.  Colton.  a 
pleasant  conversation  o  Lord  appear,  I  pray  to  heal  the 
Divisions  of  this  poor  Town. 

—  2.     This  day  a  lecture  P.M.     Mr.  Whitman   preached   from   2. 

Cor.  14.  15. 

—  3.     This  day     .     .     .     Mr.  Burr  of  Worcester  here.     .     .     . 

—  8.     This  day  was  buried  Susanna  M°Lean  ye  wife  of  Mr.  Allan 

M°Lean. 

—  12.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  at  night  to  ye  Negroes 

at  ye  school  house  from  2  Cor.  5.  10.     .     .     . 

—  14.     This  day     .     .     .     reckoned  with  ye  Societies  Comttee.  due 

to  me  ^62.  is.  3d. 

—  15.     .     .     .     discoursed  and  prayed  with  a  sick  woman,  I  pray 

god  y*  her  awakening  may  prove  a  saving  conversion 

—  19.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Eph.  2.  4.  5.     .     .     . 

went  thro'  my  work  with  less  difficulty  than  at  many  other 
times  ... 

—  22.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge     I  pray  god  to  heal  him 

and  to  restore  him  to  usefulness  again 

—  26.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  in  ye  evening  at  ye 

school  house  to  ye  negroes  from  i  thes.  5.  2.     .     .     . 

—  27.     This  day  I  paied  to  Mr.  John  Lawrence  7-0-6.  on  ace",  of 

John  Fowler  of  Symsbury  and  ,£5-0-0  in  money  on  my  own 
ace".  I  yet  owe  him  eight  pound,  visited  a  sick  child  and 
prayed  with  it. 

—  28.     .     .     .     Mr.  Collins  here  at  night. 

—  30.     This  day     ...     a  lecture.     I  preached  from  Eph.  5.  i. 

—  31.     This  day  in   study,     y*  month  and   year  concludes,     god 

give  me  a  happy  entrance  upon  another 

January  begins  [1743] 

Jany.  2.  Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  rev.  5.  9.  administred 
y*  Sacrament  and  P.M.  from  luk.  13.  8.  May  thy  blessing  o 
god  attend  thy  word. 

—  4.     reading  magazines  &c.     nil  remarkable     at  night  discoursed 

with  an  uneasy  member     I  pray  god  to  convince  him  I  cant. 


1743]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  95 

— -  7.     This  day  little  Study,    much  visited,    under  great  perplexity 
and  trouble. 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:  M:  from  luk.  13.  14.  and  P.M.  from 

heb.  2.  6.  and  at  night  at  ye  school  house  from  rom.  5.  i.  went 
thro'  my  work  with  great  difficulty.  ye  Lord  bless  his  word. 

-  13.     Study.     Conversing  with  an  offender,  I  pray  God  to  bring 

him  to  his  duty,  Lord  thou  canst  turn  ye  hearts  of  ye  children 
of  men,  change  I  pray  and  turn  his  heart. 

—  14.     this  day  was  buried  ye  son  of  Edward  Cadwell  Junr.  y*  was 

born  on  Wednesday  night  last 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached      .      .      .      Laboured  under  much 

difficulty     .     .     . 

—  17.     .     .     .     This  day  Mrs.  Waters  was  interred,  aged  88 

—  20.     This  day     .     .     .     visited  an  aged  disciple  indisposed.     I 

pray  god  to  heal  him  and  prolong  his  Life 

—  23.     Lords   day   I   preached  A:  M:  from  Joh.  12.  38.  and   P.M: 

from  Joh.  12.  38.  and  at  night  from  col.  4.  5.  at  ye  School 
house  .  .  . 

—  25.     at  night  conversed  with  an   uneasy  dissatisfied  person     I 

pray  god  to  rectify  his  mistakes,  to  give  him  a  right  spirit,  and 
me  grace  to  discharge  my  duty  to  him  and  all  others  under 
like  circumstances  y*  I  may  be  concerned  with. 

—  27.     This  day     ...     I  married  Isaac  Clark  and  Ruth  Spencer 

—  28.     My  daughter  Abigails   birth   day.     thanks  to  god  for  her 

life 

—  30.     Lords  day  preached  A:M.  from  Joh.  12.  38.  and  P.M.  from 

Job.  31.  14. 

Feb.  1742/3 

Feby.  i.     This  day  ye  Association  met  at  my  house,     advised  Syms- 
bury  to  Mr.  Estabrook  &c. 

-  2.     This  day  lecture          Mr.  White  of  Bolton  preached  from 

Isai.  55.  i.     ye  association  broke  up. 

—  4.     This  day  Study,     conversation  in  ye  evening  with  one  called 

a  new  light. 

—  6.     Lords  day  I   preached     .     .     .     and  administred  y*  Sacra- 

ment and  at  night  from  Eph.  2.  17.  at  ye  school  house. 

-  7.     This  day  Laboured  under  indisposition  of  body,  did   little 

business,  writ  a  letter  at  night  to  go  to  Docf.  Chauncey 

—  8.     .     .     .     recd.  a  letter  from  an  uneasy  member  of  our  church, 

I  pray  God  to  open  his  eyes  to  show  him  wherein  he  is  in  a 
mistake  and  assist  and  direct  me  to  discharge  my  duty  faith- 
fully to  him. 


96  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [i743 

—  9.     .     .     .     visited  a  distressed  parishoner.     I  pray  god  to  heal 

and  restore  to  soundness  of  body  and  mind,  and  o  y*  god 
would  put  a  stop  to  ye  growth  of  intemperance  among  us. 

—  10.     .     .     .     Conversed  with  a  man  under  suspicion  of  Scandal, 

and  also  another  y'  has  withdrawn  from  ye  publick  worship,  I 
pray  god  to  bring  ym  both  to  yr.  duty. 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Gal.  19.  20.  21. 

—  15.     This  day  spent  at   Southington  &c.      the  Councel  unani- 

mously agreed  it  was  not  expedient  to  dismiss  Mr.  Curtis.1 

—  1 6.     This  day  as  before  at  Southington,  Mr.  Colton  preached, 

ye  result  of  the  Councel  published  &c.  returned  home  found 
my  family  well  Laus  Deo. 

—  18.     This  day  dejected,  little  study.     I  pray  God  to  direct  me 

to  a  suitable  and  seasonable  text  on  which  to  make  a  sermon 
tomorrow  if  I  am  bro't  to  see  ye  light  of  y'  day. 

—  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  psal.   112.  7  and  P.M: 

from  heb.  10.  24.  25.  and  in  ye  evening  at  ye  School  house 
from  Eph.  2.  10. 

—  22.     This  day  visiting  &c.     at  night  discoursed  with  some  un- 

easy members  but  to  little  purpose 

—  24.     This  day  went  to  west  Division  to  Consult  &c.     advised 

Symsbury  people  to  wait  patiently  on  god  in  ye  way  of  his 
providence  &c.  at  night  discoursed  with  2  members  of  the 
Church  y*  are  wandering  out  of  ye  way. 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     o  Lord  heal  our  divisions. 

—  28.     ...     O  Lord  god  direct  and  guide  me  in  this  difficult 

day     .     .     . 

March  begins 

Mch.  2.     This  day  at  Court,  visiting  &c.     recd  a  letter  from  Doctr. 
Chauncey  &c. 

—  3.     This  day  prayed  at  Court,  lecture   in  ye  afternoon  at  Mr. 

Whitmans  meeting,  he  preached  from  rom.  5.   10. 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  rev.  19.  9.  and  administred 

y'  Sacrament,  and  P.M.  Mr.  Burr  of  Worcester  preached  for 
me  .  .  .  and  I  baptized  Hannah  ye  daughter  of  Sam". 
Graham  and  Mary  ye  daughter  of  Daniel  Badger  Junr. 
-  7.  A  stormy  Tempestuous  day.  visited  and  prayed  with  a  sick 
child,  and  a  young  woman  y*  is  Languishing,  and  that  never 
had  but  little  if  any  reason 


1  Difficulties  had  arisen  at  Southington  owing  to  the  attitude  of  Mr.  Curtis  toward  the  New 
Measures  of  the  Awakening.  He  took,  like  the  Hartford  ministers,  a  conservative  position,  and 
incurred  the  dislike  of  a  majority  of  his  congregation.  The  trouble  was  smoothed  over  for  awhile, 
but  resulted  in  his  dismission  in  1755. 


1743]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  97 

—  9.     Bethia  the  daughter  of  Sam".  Shepherd  was  interred.     She 

died  on  monday  night  last. 

—  ii.     little    study,    recd.    Mr.    Calamys    caveat    against    ye   new 

prophets  from  Mr.  Ruggles.1 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  luk.  8.  12.  and  P.M:  from 

rom.  6.  i. 

—  14.     This  day     .     .     .     reading  concerning  ye  french  prophets 

-  15.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge  found  him  better  than  I 

expected.  Saw  a  Letter  directed  to  him,  Mr.  Ozias  Pitkin, 
and  Mr.  William  Pitkin,  ye  most  abominable  thing  y*  almost 
ever  I  saw.3 

—  17.     This  day  not  very  profitably  spent,  Little  Study,  diverted 

by  Various  affairs  —  recd.  a  letter  from  Govern1".  Law  desiring 
me,  if  Mr.  Steel  fails  to  preach  ye  Election  Sermon 3 

-  20.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Jerusha  ye 

daughter  of  Mr.  James  Bicknel,  and  at  night  preached  at  the 
school  house  from  heb.  4.  13. 

—  21.     This  day  to  little  profit.     Mr.  Stiles  of  N.  Haven  here. 

-  23.     This  day  in   Study   &c.     Mr.  White  of   Bolton   here  in   ye 

afternoon.     .     .     . 

-  24.     This  day  went  over  ye  river,  Lecture  there,  Mr.  Hunting4 

preached  from  psal.  73.  27.  Lord  have  Compassion  on  that 
people  and  provide  for  them 

-  27.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Stephen    Turner  and  his 

wife  owned  ye  Covenant. 

—  29.  This  day  Study  &c.  received  a  letter  from  my  uncle  James 
Dated  at  Norwich  March  25.  1743.  o  Lord  look  with  Com- 
passion on  this  Land,  save  us  from  error,  heresy  &  confusion 

—  31.     Lecture  in  y"  afternoon  I   preached   from  heb.  12.  2.     may 

the  blessing  of  god  attend  what  has  been  spoken. 


1  Rev.  Thomas  Ruggles  of  Guilford,  born  in  that  place  Nov.  27,  1704  ;  grad.  V.  C.  1723  ; 
ordained  at  Guilford  March  26,  1729  ;  Fellow  of  Y.  C.  from  1746  till  his  death  Nov.  20,  1770.  He 
was  an  Old  Light ;  a  man  of  considerable  scholarship  ;  published  several  sermons,  and  left  a  manu- 
script history  of  Guilford,  since  printed. 

*  Troubles  in  East  Hartford  growing  out  of  Mr.  Woodbridge's  disability  and  the  unsuccessful 
attempts  to  settle  a  colleague  pastor  had  been  increasing  for  a  good  while.  In  connection  with 
some  phase  of  this  affair  Roger  Bidwell  wrote  the  letter  above  referred  to.  Upon  which  he  was  by 
complaint  brought  before  the  General  Assembly  charged  with  "  making  and  publishing  a  false, 
scandalous,  infamous  libel  against  Ozias  Pitkin,  William  Pitkin  Esquires  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel 
Woodbridge  in  particular."  Bidwell  pleaded  guilty  ;  was  adjudged  disabled  of  voting  in  any  public 
meeting,  or  acting  on  any  jury,  and  was  bound  over  to  keep  the  peace  under  penalty. 

3  Mr.  Steel  as  before  noticed  (p.  14,  note)  kept   the  appointment,  and  spared  Mr.  Wadsworth 
the  necessity. 

4  Jonathan  Huntting  ;  one  of  the  several  candidates  recommended  as  colleagues  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Woodbridge  at  East  Hartford.     He  was  born  at   East  Hampton,  L.  I.,  in  October,  1714  ;  grad.  Y. 
C.  1735 ;  failed  early  in   health,  and  "  became  a  small  merchant  in   his   native  town,"  dying  ther 
Sept.  3,  1750,  in  his  36th  year. 

13 


98  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [i?43 

April  1743 

Apl.  3.  Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  .  .  .  and  administred  ye 
Sacrament  and  P.M.  Mr.  Marsh1  of  Kent  preached  ...  at 
night  I  preached  at  ye  school  house  from  luk.  12.  31. 

—  4.     This   day  visiting  &°.     hardly  best  to   Invite   Mr.    E:2  to 

preach  &°. 

-  6.     This  day  a  lecture  at  Farmington    Mr.  E.  Whitman  preached 
from  Cant.  i.  3. 

—  6.     This  day  brother  John  and  myself  finished  ye  partition  of 

our  Land,  returned  home  found  my  family  well.     Laus  Deo. 

—  8.     Mr.  Eliot  of  Boston  here,  Mr.  Graham  *  also. 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached    from  heb.   12.   2.   per  totum,  and 

baptized  mary  ye  daughter  of  Wm  Nickols.  at  night  at  ye  School 
house 

—  ii.     This  day  lecture  Mr.  Colton  preached  from  psal.  122.  8.  9. 

Freemans  meeting  Capt.  Marsh  and  Mr.  Buckingham  chosen 
deputies. 

—  13.     This  day  publick  fast.     I  preached  A.M.  from  Ezk.  7.  5. 

and  Mr.  Whitman  P.M.  from  pr.  3.  25.  may  ye  prayers  of  gods 
people  be  heard. 

—  16.     I  am  exercised  with  many  thoughts  about  ye  times,  I  pray 

God  direct  assist  and  strengthen  me  in  this  difficult  day,  o 
Lord  in  thee  do  I  trust. 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Matt.  22.  32.  38.  39.  40. 

baptized  Elizabeth  ye  daughter  of  Thorn.  Loree.  O  Lord 
appear  for  and  help  and  relieve  me  I  pray  under  all  my 
difficulties. 

—  20.     This   day   overseeing    business,    workmen    &c.      pleasant 

weather;  wearied  with  yc  affairs  of  this  present  evil  world. 

—  21.     This  day  reading  ye  Christian  History  study  &c. 


1  Rev.  Cyrus  Marsh,  born  in   Plainfield  March  14,  1718-19 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1739  ;  ordained  over 
a  new  church  gathered  at  Kent,  May  6,  1741.     He  was  Old  Light  in  his  sympathies  and  in  some 
trouble  with   his  congregation  thereabout.     He  left  the  ministry  under  something  of  a  cloud,  but 
represented  the  town  in  the  General  Assembly  in  May,  1761,  and  for  twelve  or  more  sessions  after- 
ward.    He  died  June  9,  1771. 

2  Probably  the  Mr.  Eliot  spoken  of  two  days  later.     He  was  Rev.  Andrew  Eliot,  born  about 
1719  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1737  ;  ordained  at  Boston,  as  colleague  with  Mr.  Webb  at  the  New  North  Church, 
April  14,  1742.     Mr.  Wadsworth's  hesitation  about  inviting  him  to  preach  was  probably  owing  to 
apprehension  respecting  his  position  on  the  New-Measures  question  of  the  day  ;  an  apprehension 
which  his  companionship  with  Rev.  John  Graham  tended  to  increase. 

3  Rev.  John  Graham,  born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in  1694  ;  educated  as  a  physician  at  Glas- 
gow ;  came  to  America  in   1718  ;  ordained  at  Stafford,   May  25,   1723  ;  dismissed  for  inadequate 
support  1731  ;  installed  at  what  is  now  Southbury,  Jan.  17,  1733  I  died  in  office  Dec.  IT,  1774.     He 
was  an  ardent  advocate  of  Whitefield  and  the  New-Measures  generally. 


1743]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  99 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  rom.  6.  17.  per  totum  I  pray 

god  bless  his  word     .     .     . 

-  25.     This  day  reading  Baxters  Saints  everlasting  Rest.     Messr8. 

Steel  and  White  here 

-  28.     In  ye  afternoon  a   Lecture  at    Mr.  Whitmans  meeting  he 

preached  from  Eph.  i.  6. 

May,  1743. 

May  i.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  heb.  2.  17.  and  ad- 
ministred  ye  Sacrament,  baptized  Levi  ye  son  of  Elisha  Pratt, 
preached  at  night  at  ye  school  house  from  Joh.  9.  4. 

—  2.     This  day  reading  in  Flavel  &c.     a  little  rainy  weather,    dies 

fere  sine  linea. 

—  3.     This  day  some  Study,     a  Comtee.  of  the  east  here.     ye  asso- 

ciation Corn4",  advised  them  to  Mr.  David  Judson1  to  preach 
for  ym. 

—  6.     This  day  Study,     god  be  pleased  to  grant  me  his  gracious 

assistance  in  finishing  ye  discourse  I  have  begun  upon  a  future 
Judgment,  y'  it  may  be  an  instructive,  awakening  discourse 
and  if  I  have  opportunity  to  deliver  it  may  it  be  accompanied 
with  thy  blessing,  o  Lord. 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  heb.  2.  17.  and  P.M.  from 

rom.  i.  18.     I  pray  God  to  bless  what  was  spoken     .     .     . 

-  10.     visited  Mr.  Woodbridge,  found  him  much    in  ye  same  state 

as  to  health  he  has  for  some  time  been  in. 

-  ii.     This  day  little  Study.     Several  good  friends  visited  me. 

may  ye  blessing  of  God  rest  on  ym 

—  12.     This  day  Election  &c.  ye  Govern1".  Dep:  Govern1,  and  Assist- 

ants as  in  ye  year  past  saving  y4  Colon1.  Bulkley  was  chosen  in 
ye  room  of  Col:  Huntington. 

-  15.     Lords  day  Mr.  Webster  preached  for  me  A.M.  from  Matt. 

27.  37.  and  P.M.  I  preached  from  act.  17.  31.  and  baptized 
Susannah  ye  daughter  of  Stephen  Turner 

—  16.     This  day  little  Study,     rainy  weather,     more  news  of  y* 

awfull  outbreakings  of  gross  sin  in  ye  Land 

-  18.     This  day     .     .     .     recd  a^letter  from  Mr.  Hunn. 

—  20.  This  day  Study  &c.  discoursed  with  a  person  under  Con- 
siderable concern  ye  general  assembly  resolved  to  call  Mr. 


1  Rev.  David  Judson,  born  in  Stratford,  Sept.  26,  1715  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1738  ;  ordained  at  New- 
town,  Sept.  21,  1743  ;  died  in  office  Sept.  24,  1776.  Under  his  leadership  and  in  consequence  of 
sermons  preached  and  published  by  him  the  major  part  of  his  church  and  society  in  1773  rejected 
that  part  of  the  Saybrook  Platform  relating  to  church  discipline,  and  renounced  connection  with 
Fairfield  Consociation. 


ioo  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [J743 

Owen  '  to  an  account  for  his  opprobrious  expressions  relating 
to  ye  Civil  authority 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached   A:M  from  heb.  13.  9.     ...     and 

P.M:  from  act.  17.  31.    and  at  night  from  heb.  10.  31.    Laboured 
under  much  indisposition 

—  25.     This  day  indisposed,  read  something  in  Baxter  &c.  visited 

at  night  by  some  gentlemen  of  ye  general  assembly. 
: —  26.     This  day  visited  ye  prison  &c.     discoursed  ye  negroe  woman 
committed  on  suspicion  of  murdering  her  child.     She  denies  ye 
fact. 

-  27.     This  day  under  some  perplexity  and  difficulty.     ye  gen". 

Court  adjourned  I  prayed  at  ye  close  of  ye  Court. 

-  29.     Lords  day   I   preached      .     .      .      and  baptized  Anne  ye 

daughter  of  Daniel  Butler  and  Hannah  ye  daughter  of  Thomas 
Welles  Junr.     o  Lord  bless  I  pray  my  poor  Labours. 

—  30.     Visited   Mr.  Colton.  ye  man  y*  was  drowned  on  y* 

13  instant  found  this  day 

June  begins 
June  2.     lecture  P.M.  I  preached  from  rom.  4.  25.     ... 

—  4.     Lord  prepare  my  heart  for  ye  duties  of  ye  Sabbath,  to  ap- 

proach to  ye  table  of  ye  Lord 

—  5.     Lords  day   I   preached   A.M.  i.  Cor.  it.  23.  24.  25.  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacram'.  and  P:  M.  from  act.  3.  26.  and  in  ye  even- 
ing at  ye  school  house  from  luk.  12.  5.     I  pray  God 
succeed  my  weak  Labours. 

—  7.     This  day  went  to  ye  assoc".  at  Bolton.2 

-  8.     This   day    Lecture   at    Bolton,   Mr.   Whitman  of    Hartford 

preached  from  Ezekiel  36.  26. 

—  9.  returned  from  Bolton,  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 
heard  y*  a  man  was  killed  yesterday  at  Wethersfield  with  ye 
thunder,  may  I  be  prepared  for  my  own  great  and  Last 
change. 

-  10.     .     .     .     yesterday  a  Negro  fellow  was  committed  to  prison 

for  committing  a  rape  between   Middletown  and   Haddam ; 
great  are  ye  outbreakings  of  sin  in  ye  Land. 


1  Rev.  John  Owen  of  Groton.  He  was  a  native  of  Braintree,  Mass.;  grad.  H.  C.  in  1723  ;  or- 
dained at  Groton  in  November,  1727,  and  died  in  1753.  The  occasion  of  Mr.  Owen's  "  defamatory 
and  invective  speeches  Against  the  laws  and  authority  of  this  government  "  was  probably  his  dis- 
like of  the  stringent  legislative  enactments  against  the  itinerants  and  kindred  measures.  He 
acknowledged  his  fault,  asked  "pardon  for  what  he  had  done  amiss"  and  promised  "to  teach  and 
yield  due  obedience  "  for  the  time  to  come.  Whereupon  the  Assembly  accepted  his  confession  and 
ordered  him  dismissed  on  payment  of  costs,  which  amounted  to  f,\.  us.  f)d. 

a  One  of  the  questions  raised  at  this  meeting  of  the  Association  was :  "  Whether  males  under 
the  age  of  Twenty  one  years  and  slaves  that  are  members  in  full  communion  with  a  church  are  to 
be  allowed  to  give  their  Vote  in  matters  of  Discipline  in  the  church  ?  Resolved  in  the  Negative." 


1743]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  101 

-12.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     baptized   Thomas  ye  son 
of  Thomas  Andrews  Junr. 

-  13.     This  day  reading  Mr.  Fishers  pamphlet  relating  to  ye  relig- 

ious commotions  in  Scotland. 

-  19.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Laboured  under  weakness 

and  difficulty  in  speaking 

—  22.     This  day  reading  &c.     Mr.   Edwards  of  Scantick  and  his 

wife  here  on  a  visit. 

-  26.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  luk.  19.  27.     Cate- 

chised ye  children  in  y*  afternoon  as  I  did  also  ye  last  Sabbath: 
at  night  preached  at  ye  School  house  from  2  rev.  21.  22 

—  28.     Visited  Mr.  Woodbridge  in  ye  afternoon     .     .     . 

—  30.     A  lecture  in  ye  afternoon  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting     he 

preached  from  Cant.  i.  4. 

July  1743 

July  3.  Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Matt.  16.  21.  and  admin- 
istred  ye  Sacrament  and  P.M.  from  Act.  20.  21.  went  thro' 
my  work  with  great  difficulty,  my  strength  seems  to  fail  me, 
speaking  hurts  me  exceedingly:  Lord  may  thy  blessing  at- 
tend on  my  weak  Labours 

-  5.     This  day  reading  Mr.  Hookers  book  entitled  ye  doubting 

Christian  drawn  to  Christ.1 

—  6.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Colton  &c.     read  a  sermon  of  Doctr. 

Doddridges  on  the  character  of  ye  unregenerate 

-  7.     reading  Docf.  Doddridges  Sermons  on  regeneration.     May 

I  be  enabled  to  make  a  due  improvment  of  ym. 

—  9.     This  day  I  was  exercised  with  great  pain.    .     .     .    disabled 

from  business 

—  10.     Lords  day  my  illness  abated,  but  not  able  to  go  out     I 

pray  god  to  be  with  my  people  and  bless  ye  means  yy  enjoy. 

—  ii.     This  day  almost  recovered  to  usual  health,  blessed  be  God 

for  it.     read  something  in  Docf  Doddridges  Sermons. 

-  12.     This  day  reading  &c.     in  ye  afternoon  my  wife  was  deliv- 

ered of  a  son.2  blessed  be  god  for  it.  God  grant  she  may  be 
raised  up  to  health  and  strength  and  ye  life  of  ye  child  be  pre- 
served and  wee  have  grace  to  bring  it  up  in  his  fear. 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Act.   20.   21.   and  P.M. 

from  2  pet.  3.  9.  and  baptized  my  son  Jeremiah  and  Olive  ye 


1  Ante,  p.  69,  note. 

*  Jeremiah  ;  afterward  Commissary  General  of  the  Continental  Army  ;  delegate  1786-8  to 
the  Continental  Congress ;  representative  from  1789  to  1795  in  the  National  Congress ;  died  in 
Hartford  April  30,  1804. 


iO2  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  D743 

daughter  of  Moses  Cadwell.  I  laboured  under  great  weakness 
and  bodily  indisposition. 

-  19.     in  ye  afternoon  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge 

-21.  This  day  reading  Baxter  &c.  in  the  afternoon  visited  Mr. 
Bissell  of  Wintonbury.  a  thunder  storm  at  night  will  god 
prevent  ye  awfull  effects  y'  sometimes  attend  such  storms 

-  24.     Lords  day  I  preached     .      .     .     and  propounded  Daniel 

Skinner  to  own  ye  Covenant.  ...  at  night  preached  at  ye 
School  house  from  luk.  8.  12. 

-  31.     Lords  day  Mr.  Morison  preached  for  me,  A:M:  from  psal. 

65.  9.  and  P.M  from  Job.  13.  15.  Daniel  Skinner  owned  the 
Covenant  and  his  daughter  Jerusha  was  baptized 

August  begins 

Aug.  i.  This  day  visited  and  prayed  with  a  sick  woman  in  ye  fore- 
noon, in  the  afternoon  visited  ye  criminals  in  prison  and  prayed 
with  ym.  .  .  . 

—  2.     This  day  in  ye  morning  visited  a  poor  woman  adying,  she 

died  before  I  left  ye  house.     .     .     . 

—  3.     This  day     .     .     .     ye  wife   of  Thomas  Andrews  Junr.  was 

buried. 

—  4.     This  day     .     .     .     visited  ye  prisoners ;    in  the  afternoon 

preached  a  lecture  from  i.  cor.  5.  8. 

—  5.     This  day     ...     an  Infant  born  before  its  time     buried. 

viz.  Isaac  Clarks. 

—  7.     Lords  day     I  am  by  and  by  to  administer  ye  Sacrament, 

God  permitting,  and  what  now  is  the  state  of  my  soul,  art 
thou  at  peace  with  God.  I  humbly  hope  I  am  I  think  if  I 
know  myself  and  w1  faith  is  I  have  believed  on  Christ;  Lord  I 
believe  help  mine  unbelief.  preached  A.M.  from  rom.  5.  6 
and  administred  ye  Sacrament,  in  ye  afternoon  from  psal.  39.  9. 
and  baptized  Christian  ye  daughter  of  Abraham  Cadwell. 
at  night  preached  at  ye  School  house  from  luk.  13.  24. 

—  8.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  visited  and  prayed  with  poor  Ann 

Williamsson.     .     .     . 

—  9.     This  day  entred   into  a   serious  examination   of  my  state 

which  I  have  written  and  purpose  to  transcribe  into  this 
Diary1 

—  10.     This  day  went  over  ye  river  to  visit  Mr.  Woodbridge  and 


1  A  purpose,  happily,  left  unfulfilled.  That  Mr.  Wadsworth  was  a  devout,  sincere  Christian, 
no  one  who  reads  this  Diary  can  doubt.  The  narrower  "examination  "  he  inflicted  upon  himself  if 
recorded  would  have  pained  others  besides  himself. 


1743]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  103 

to  Scantick  to  visit  Mr.  Edwards,  returned  home  found  my 
family  well  Laus  Deo. 

—  ii.     This  day  visited  ye  Negroes  in  prison      found  one  of  ym 

something  penitent,  the  other  pretty  far  from  being  so 
-  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from   i  pet.   i.   15.  and 
baptized   Samuel  the   son  of  Barzillai  Clark,  went  thro'  my 
work  with  difficulty.     Labouring  under  much  weakness.    .    .    . 

—  15.     This   day   dejected     .      .      .     read   something  in   Baxters 

Saints  everlasting  rest. 

—  17.     This  day  went  to  Durham,  found  my  friends  well  Laus  Deo. 

—  18.     This  day  returned  home  found   my  family  well  Laus  Deo. 

blessed  be  God  that  has  preserved  me  in  my  outgoings  and 
returning.     .     .     . 

—  19.     This  day  visited  y*  negroes  in  prison,  one  of  ym  seems  to 

be  considerably  penitent. 

—  21.     Lords  day  preached  pr.  totum  from  luk  8:  21.  and  at  night 

in  ye  school  house  from  phil.  3.  18.  19. 

—  22.     Visited  ye  sick  &c.     Mr.  White  here  at  night 

—  23.     This   day  visited   Mr.   Colton.     Visited   a   sick    man   and 

prayed  with  him  &c. 

—  24.     Visited  Mr.  Woodbridge  in  ye  forenoon,     in  ye  afternoon 

visited  the  negroes  in  prison,     one  of  ym  seems  to  be  much 
affected  and  concerned. 

—  25.     This  day  reading  Edwards  history  of  errors1  &c. 

—  26.     this  day  is  eleven  year  since  I  came  to  live  in  this  Town. 

hitherto  ye  Lord  has  preserved  me  blessed  be  his  name. 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     Laboured  under  great  dif- 

ficulty in  speaking.     .     .     . 

—  30.     This  day  visited  a  sick  man  &  prayed  with  him  twice,  ye 

Last  time  apprehended  him  to  be  adying,  but  he  revived.     I 
pray  God  to  raise  him  up  to  health. 

—  31.     Went  to  the  west  Division  to  a  meeting  of  ye  association 

Comtee,  returned  home  safely  Laus  Deo. 

September  begins 

Sept.  i.  This  day  in  ye  forenoon  visited  a  woman  in  great  distress. 
in  ye  afternoon  Lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting.  Mr.  Whit- 
man preached  from  i  Joh.  3.  5.  Visited  ye  negroes  and  prayed 
with  ym. 


1  Gangraena,  or  a  Catalogue  and  Discovery  of  many  of  the  Errors,  Heresies,  Blasphe- 
mies and  pernicious  Practices  of  the  Sectaries  of  this  time,  by  Thomas  Edwards,  a  Presbyterian 
minister  of  England,  published  in  1646. 


164  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1743 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  heb.  7.  26.  and  adminis- 

tred  ye  Lords  Supper  and  P.  M:  from  Isai.  65.  2.  and  baptized 
Aaron  ye  son  of  Lieu*.  John  Cook. 

—  5-     ye  forenoon  spent  in  prayer  for  Mr.  Austin  grievously  sick, 

with  a  number  of  Christians,  in  ye  afternoon  visiting  ye  sick  in 
my  own  parish.     ...     at  night  Mr.  John  Austin  died. 

—  6.     This  day  visited  a  sick  woman  in  ye  forenoon,  in  ye  after- 

noon prayed  at  Court  visited  y*  negroes  in  Goal     read  Doctr. 
Chaunceys  book  upon  ye  times1  &c 

—  7.     ...     Mr.  John  Austin  Interred,     this  day  died  ye  widow 

Clark  in  71  year  of  her  age 

—  8.     This  day  prayed  at  Court  &c.     Mr.  Eliot  of  Kellingsworth 

here  in  ye  forenoon,  and  Mr.  Eliot  of  Boston   at  night.      ye 
widow  Clark  Interred  at  night 

—  9.     .     .     .     ye  Grandjurors  found  ye  bill  against  ye  3  negroes  in 

prison.     I  pray  God  to  give  ye  poor  criminals  repentence 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Job  16.  22  and  P.M.  from 

Isai.  65.  2.     I  pray  God  to  bless  his  word     .     .     . 

—  12.     This  day  Mr.  Hancock  and  Mr.  Smith  here  in  ye  forenoon. 

Kate  a  negroe  wench  Tried  this  day  for  ye  murder  of  her  child 
and  found  guilty 

—  14.     Commencement  at  N.  Haven,  the  affairs  of  ye  commence- 

ment conducted  with  decency  and  order 

—  18.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  rev.  21.  8.  and  P.M.  from 

Act  10.  43.  and  baptized  John  ye  son  of  Thomas  Croswell 

—  19.     .     .     .     Visited  ye  condemned  prisoners,      found  one  ym 

very  stupid. 

—  20.     This  day  Freemans  meeting     Capt:  Marsh  and  Mr.  Buck- 

ingham chosen  Deputies 

—  21.     This  day  visited  ye  condemned  prisoners,     found  one  of 

ym  very  stupid,  and  in  an  undesirable  condition. 

—  25.     Lords  day  I* preached  per  totum  from  luk.  13.  3.  and  bap- 

tized  Susannah  ye  daughter  of  Samuel   Flagg  and  at  night 
preached  at  ye  school  house  from  rev.  7.  14. 

—  27.     This  day  visited  y*  condemned  Negroes  found  ym  but  little 

affected  with  yr  condition 

-  29.     This  day  lecture  in  ye  afternoon     I  preached  from  psal. 
73-28 


1  Dr.  Charles  Chauncey's  Seasonable  Thoughts  on  the  State  of  Religion  in  Neiv  England, 
now  just  published.  Among  the  Hartford  subscribers  for  this  celebrated  volume  are  to  be  found 
Rev.  D.  Wadsworth,  Rev.  Elnathan  Whitman,  Rev.  Benjamin  Colton,  Mrs.  Abigail  Woodbridge 
(three  copies),  Mr.  John  Cook,  Mr.  David  Ensign,  Mr.  John  Whiting,  Mr.  Stephen  Steel.  Rev. 
Samuel  Whitman  of  Farmington  subscribed  for  two  copies. 


WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  105 

October  1743 

Oct.  i.     This  day  in  Study,     visited  ye  negroe  man  condemned  to 
die,  prayed  with  him. 

—  2.     Lords  day  I  preached    .     .     .    admitted  Agnes  Humphreys 

into  ye  church  and  adminstred  ye  Sacrament     .     .     . 

—  3.     .     .     .     visited  ye  prisoners  condemned  to  die 

—  4.  This  day  went  to  ye  association  at  Southington,  Mr.  Adoni- 
jah  Bidwell1  and  Mr.  Noah  Welles2  were  examined  and 
Licensed  to  preach. 

—  5.     This  day   Lecture  at  Southington      Mr.   Collins  preached 

from  prov.  12.  26.  ye  next  association  to  be  at  ye  West  Divi- 
sion on  ye  i"  Tuesday  in  Feb.  Mr.  Bartholomew  to  preach. 
ye  next  at  Farmington  Mr.  Steel  to  preach,  ye  ist  Tuesday  in 
June,  ye  next  at  Wellington,  I  am  appointed  to  preach. 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  at  night  at  ye  school 

house  from  rom.  i.  18. 

—  10.     Visited  ye  sick,      in  ye  afternoon  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge 

found  him  much  better  than  usual 

-  ii.     This  day  visited  ye  negroes  under  sentence  of  death  in  ye 

forenoon,     in  the  afternoon  visited  a  sick  man. 

—  12.     .     .     .     Mr.  Merrick3  of  Branford  here  at  night. 

—  13.     This  day  writing  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  England     .     .     . 

Wrote  a  letter  also  to  a  friend  at  New-Haven 

-  14.     .     .     .     Visited  also  ye  negroes  in  goal,     o  y4  god  would 

give  ym  repentence  unto  salvation. 

-  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Deut.  5.  29.     y*  Lord 

bless  his  word  and  make  it  effectual. 

—  18.     Visited  prisoners  under  sentence  of  death.     Lord  give  ym 

repentence  unto  salvation 

—  19.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  Division  to  visit  Mr.  Colton.     re- 

turned found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 

—  21.     Visited  ye  prisoners     . 


1  Horn  in  Hartford,  Oct.  18,  1716;  grad.  Y.  C.  1740;  ordained  Oct.  5,  1744;  chaplain  of  the 
Connecticut  fleet  in  the  Cape  Breton  expedition  of  1745  ;  installed  at  Tyringham  now  Monterey, 
Mass.,  Oct.  3,  1750  ;  died  in  office  June  2,  1784.  His  journal  of  the  Cape  Breton  expedition  is 
printed  in  the  N.  E.  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  volume  xxvii,  pp.  153-59. 

a  Born  in  Colchester  Sept.  25,  1718  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1741  ;  teacher  of  Hopkins  Grammar  School 
in  Hartford  while  studying  theology  ;  recommended  by  Hartford  North  Association  in  1742  to  the 
troublesome  East  Hartford  pulpit  to  aid  Mr.  Woodbridge  ;  ordained  at  Stamford  Dec.  31,  1746  ; 
died  in  office  of  jail-fever  contracted  while  ministering  to  British  prisoners  Dec.  31,  1776.  He  was 
Fellow  of  Y.  C.  1744  to  his  death  ;  preached  the  Election  Sermon  May  10,  1764  ;  and  published 
several  Anti-Episcopalian  tracts  in  defence  of  Presbyterian  ordination. 

3  Rev.  Jonathan  Merrick,  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  Aug.  13,  1700;  grad.  Y.  C.  1725;  or- 
dained at  North  Branford  at  a  date  not  precisely  determined  ;  died  June  27,  1772.  A  Fellow  of  Y. 
C.  from  1763  to  1769,  and  in  the  divisions  of-the  time  an  Old  Light. 

14 


io6  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1743 

-  23.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  rev.  22.  12.  and  P.M:  from 

Matt.  13/44     .     .     . 

—  24.     .     .     .     Visited  ye  prisoners 

-27.  .  .  .  Mr.  John  Skinner  died  aged  [blank]  in  ye  after- 
noon visited  ye  negroes  in  prison  .  .  .  ye  Lord  prepare 
those  poor  creatures  for  yr  great  change. 

-  28.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  was  Interred  Mr.  John  Skinner 

-  30.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  90.  12.  and  ad- 

mitted Ruth  Clark  to  full  communion  with  ye  church,  at 
night  preached  at  ye  school  house  from  rev.  3.  18. 

November  begins 
Nov.  i.     Study  &c.     Visited  ye  prisoners  &c. 

-  3.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting 

Mr.  Marsh  preached  from  Jam.  i.  15. 

—  4.     .     .     .     recd.  a  letter  from  uncle  James. 

-  6.  .  Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  rev.  5.  21.  and  administred 

ye  Sacrament  and  P.M.  from  i  tim.  6.  6. 

-  7.     .     .     .     Visited  ye  sick,     and   in  ye  afternoon  ye  prisoners 

.     .     .     and  prayed  with  ym 

-  10.     This  day  publick  thanksgiving  in  Connecticutt.    I  preached 

from  psal.  116.  12.  blessed  be  ye  Lord  y*  has  preserved  me 
thro'  another  year  and  spared  ye  lives  of  my  wife,  children  and 
servant,  o  y1  wee  might  all  live  to  ye  glory  of  God  our 
preserver 

-  ii.     .     .     .     Visited  ye  prisoners     .     .     .     o  Lord  have  pity  on 

those  poor  creatures 

-  13.     Lords  day  preached  A.M.  from  Ezek.  18.  30  and  P.M.  from 

i  tim.  6.  6.  and  baptized  Nathaniel  ye  son  of  Daniel  Goodwin. 
—  14.     Visited  ye  prisoners     .     .     . 

-  15.     James  Logan  was  buried  who  died  last  Lords  day  about 

noon. 

-  1 6.     This  day  a  lecture  at  our  meeting  house  Mr.  E.  Whitman 

preached  from  psal.  15.  previous  to  ye  execution  of  Jack  and 
Kate  two  negroes  ye  one  condemned  to  die  for  a  rape  ye  other 
for  murdering  her  child.  yy  were  executed  about  3  o'clock 
P.M.  may  it  be  a  warning  to  all  others. 

-  19.     .     .     .     Went  over  ye  river  at  night 

-  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  on  ye  East  Side  of  ye  River  A.M. 

from  Deut.  13.  n.  and  P.M:  from  rom.  5.  i. 


i/43]  WADSWOKTH'S  DIARY  107 

—  21.     This  day  returned  home  found  my  family  well.     Laus  Deo. 

read  the  American  Magazine1  for  ye  month  of  Sept.  1743. 

—  23.     .     .     .     reading  Rutherfords  sermons 

-  24.     .     .     .     writing  a  letter  to  Scotland  &c. 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Deut.  13.  u.  and  P.M. 

from  Eph.  4.  29.  and  baptized  James  ye  son  of  Samuel  Andrus 

December  1743 

Dec.  i.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture     I  preached  from  phil. 
2.  8,  at  night  married  Hezekiah  Marsh  and  Christian  Edwards. 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment.    .     .     . 

—  8.     This  day     .     .    .     reed,  a  letter  to  go  to  a  Councel  at  Wos- 

tershire 

-  u.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Susanna  yr 

daughter  of  Nehemiah  Cadwell.     ye  Lord  bless  his  word  and 
make  it  effectual 

-  13.     Went  to  Weathersfield  &c.    Wrote  a  letter  to  Doctr.  Dodd- 

ridge,  by  Mr.  Rod:  Morison2 

-  14.     This  day     .     .     .     delivered  a  letter  to  Mr.  Rod:  Morison 

to  go  to  Doctor  Doddridge.     Mr.  Morison  set  out  in  order  to 
embark  at  New  London 

—  15.     .     .     .     at  night  Elijah  Cadwell  and  Rebecca  Burr  were 

married 

-  18.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  gal.  22.  21,  and  bap- 

tized William  the  son  of  Mr.  Samuel  Talcott,  ye  Lord  bless 
him  and  make  him  a  blessing. 

-  20.     This  day  visiting  &c.     reed,  a  letter  at  night  to  go  to  a 

Councel  at  Southington  the  first  Tuesday  in  January  next 

-  21.     .     .     .     reckoned  with  ye  Societies  Comttee.  at  night 

-  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  rom.  2.  14.     I  pray 

God  to  bless  his  word     .     .     . 

—  28.     This  day  reading  ye  Christian  History  &c.     snowy  weather 

-  29.     This  day  reading  &c.      in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture  at  M1'. 

Whitmans  meeting     Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  rev.  7.   14. 
at  night  I  preached  at  ye  school  house  from  rom.  10.  4. 


1  This  was  the  first  number  of  the  American  Magazine  and  Historical  C/ironiclc.  The 
work  was  issued  three  years  and  four  months,  at  Boston,  by  Samuel  Eliot  and  Joshua  Ulanchard, 
and  then  discontinued. 

3  Roderick  Morison,  a  brother  of  Dr.  Normand  and  Rev.  Evander  Morison.  He  died  in 
Hartford  in  1751. 


io8  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1744 

January  1743/4. 

Jany.  i.  Lords  day.  I  preached  A.M.  from  i.  pet.  18.  19.  and  ad- 
ministred  ye  Sacrament  and  P.M.  from  Jam.  4.  14.  and  ye 
church  chose  Deac"  Edwards  a  messeng'  to  go  to  a  Councel  at 
Southington ' 

—  3.     This  day  went  to  Southington  to  a  Councel.     ye  Councel 

opened  &c. 

—  4.     This  day  ye  Councel  finished  and  I  returned  home,  found 

my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 

—  5.     This  day  reading  &c.     I  pray  God  to  direct  me  to  a  Suit- 

able subject  on  which  to  prepare  a  Sermon.     Dreamed  I  saw 
D.  L.     w*  does  it  portend. 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  heb.  12.  25.     I  pray 

y4  god  would  bless  his  word     .... 

9.     ...     wrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  Eliot  at  Boston 

-  10.     .     .     .     Mr.  Collins  here  in  y*  morning. 

—  12.     This  day  in  Study,     at  night  preached  at  y*  School  house. 

.     .     .     direct  o  Lord  and  assist  me  I  pray  in  preparing  ser- 
mons for  ye  Sabbath 

—  13.     This  day  in  study,     at  night  discoursed  with  a  member  of 

ye  church  under  difficulty,  y"  Lord  bring  to  a  sense  of  his  duty. 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  rev.  2.  4.  and  bap- 

tized Levi  the  son  of  James  Shepard. 

—  19.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  married  Return  Strong  of  Windsor 

to  Sarah  Nickols  of  Hartford. 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Deut.  32.  28.  and 

baptized  Sarah  ye  daughter  of  John  Lord 

-  24.     This  day  visited  a  poor  distressed  woman     Mr.  Hunn  here. 

—  25.     This  day  went  to  Farmington  with  my  good  friend   Mr. 

Hunn,  heard  Mr.  Adams8  preach  from  Eph.  2.  8. 
-27.     This  day     .     .     .     Brthr.  Cowles3  here  at  night 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Matt.  24.  42.  and 

baptized  John  ye  son  of  Mr.  Niel  M°.Lean  and  Obadiah  ye  son 
of  Daniel  Spencer. 


1  Doubtless  on  some  phase  of  the  long  controversy  in  the  parish  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Curtis 
(ante,  p.  31)  growing  out  of  the  Whitefieldian  difficulties.  A  previous  council  in  the  year  1743  had 
been  made  the  subject  of  great  local  wrangle  and  of  appeal  to  legislative  aid. 

8  Probably  Joseph  Adams,  who  about  this  time  was  recommended  by  the  Hartford  North 
Association  to  the  church  in  New  Cambridge,  now  Bristol.  He  was  born  in  Lebanon  Aug.  26,  1717; 
grad.  Y.  C.  1740;  preached,  apparently,  at  various  places  in  1744-45,  but  settled  in  New  Haven  as 
an  attorney  and  innkeeper,  and  died  Oct.  16,  1782. 

3  Husband  of  Mr.  Wadsworth's  sister  Sarah. 


1744]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  109 

—  29.     This  day  reading  y€  plain  account'  &c.     visited  Mr.  Wood- 

bridge. 

—  31.     This  day   reading  Christ:   Loves2   Sermons    and    Firmins 

Real  Christian  &c. 

February  begins 
Feby.  2.     This  day  lecture  in  ye  afternoon.     I  preached  from  psal. 

I05-  5- 

—  4.  This  day  in  Study.  Lord  prepare  my  heart  for  ye  duties  of 
thine  holy  day  O  blessed  Saviour  may  I  meet  thee  at  thine 
holy  supper  tomorrow,  give  me  a  devout  frame,  and  help  to 
lead  in  ye  services  of  ye  day  as  becomes  a  minister  of  thine 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  John  21.  17.  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacrament.  ye  Lord  bless  his  word  and  make  it 
effectual. 

—  6.     This  day     .     .     .     reading  Tailor  on  ye  doctrine  of  original 

sin8 

—  7.     This  day  went  to  ye  association  at  ye  west  division. 

—  9.     ...     at  night  preached  at   ye  school  house  from  prov. 

23.  26. 
-  12.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.   106.  40.  41. 

—  18.     This  day  in  Study,     the  Comet  y*  appeared  in  ye  west  has 

bin  seen  of  late  in  ye  east  particularly  as  I  am  Informed  on 
Wednesday  morning  this  week,  and  on  this  day  its  said  to 
have  bin  seen  about  ye  middle  of  ye  day  about  an  hour  before 
ye  sun.4 


1  Probably  Bishop  Benjamin  Hoadly's  Plain  Account  of  the  Nature  and  End  of  the  Sac- 
rtitnent  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  published  in  1735. 

3  An  English  Presbyterian  divine  (1618-1651)  executed  under  charge  of  treason  against  the 
Commonwealth.  A  voluminous  and  evangelic  writer,  who  seems  to  have  been  made  the  victim  per- 
haps of  some  personal  indiscretions  but  more  of  the  political  exigencies  of  the  turbulent  hour  of 
Charles  Second's  invasion  of  England  at  the  head  of  a  Scottish  army.  His  books  have  been  charac- 
terized as  full  of  "plain  practical  doctrine,  old  divinity,  sound,  solid  and  conscience-searching 
truths." 

3  The  Scriptural  Doctrine  of  Original  Sin,  a  treatise  by  Rev.  Dr.  John  Taylor,  a  Unitarian 
minister  of  Kirkstead  in  Lincolnshire,  England.     The  book  made  a  great  impression  on  both  sides 
the  Atlantic,  and  drew  forth  elaborate  answers  both  from  John  Wesley  and  Jonathan  Edwards. 

4  The  great  comet  of  1743-44  attracted  the  attention  of  European  astronomers  from  its  appear- 
ance Dec.  9, 1743,  to  its  evanishment  in  April  or  later,  1744.     It  was  seen  at  noonday  by  observers  in 
England,  and  all  the  countries  to  Italy.     At   Bologna  it  was  observed   seven  successive  days  in  full 
sunshine,  being  at  some  periods  of  the  brightness  of  Sirius.     Its  most  distinguishing  feature,  how- 
ever, was  its  multiple  tail,  being  at   different  stages  of  its   history  apparently   supplied  with   from 
three  to  five  of  these  appendages.     J.  B.  Hind,  F.  R.  S.,  says  of  its  course:  "  If  elliptic  at  all,  it 
will  be  a  very  remote  posterity  indeed  that  will  be  interested   in   its  return.     It  is  by  no  means  im- 
probable that  the  appearance  of  this  splendid  comet  in  1743-44  constituted  its  first  visit  to  this  part 
of  the  universe."     In  Ames'  Almanack  for  1745  he  gives  a  metrical  table  of  important  chronological 
events  in  which  he  records  it  as  one  year : 

"  Since  in  our  Skies  there  blaz'd  an  awful  Star,  Presaging  Earthquake  and  a  General  War." 


i  io  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1744 

-  19.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  luk.  14.  19.     ye  Lord 

bless  his  word  and  may  it  be  a  word  in  season,  at  night 
warned  a  church  meeting  to  be  on  Tuesday  next  at  2  oclock 
P.M. 

-  20.     This  day  Study,     in  ye  morning  about  half  an  hour  before 

sun  rise  I  saw  y"  comet  in  ye  east  about  3  quarters  of  an  hour 
high. 

-  21.     This  day  had  a  Church  meeting.     ye  Church  voted  y'  James 

Shepard  be  called  to  an  account  for  going  to  ye  separate  meet- 
ing &°.  and  for  absenting  from  ye  publick  worship,  and  y'  Jos. 
Wadsworth  Junr.  appear  before  ye  church  y1  ye  church  may 
hear  what  he  has  to  say  as  to  the  objections  made  ag*.  his 
owning  ye  covenant. 

-  23.     .     .     .     in  ye  evening  preached  at  ye  School  house  from 

psal.  41.  4 

-  26.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Col.  i.  18.     I  pray 

god  to  bless  it     ... 

-  28.     This  day  a   chh  meeting  heard   Joseph   Wadsworth  and 

James  Shepards  case  adjourned  ye  meeting  to  ye  3d  Tues- 
day in  March. 

-  29.     This  day  study  &c.     I  pray  God  to  assist  and  direct  me  in 

ye  way  of  my  duty         heal  ye  difficulties  and  division  in  ye  chh 
o  Lord  support  me  I  pray  under  all  ye  reproaches  and  injurious 
treatment  I  meet  with,  may  I  bear  it  with  a  Christian  spirit 
March  begins 

March  i.     This  day  Lecture  at  ye  S.  meeting  Mr.  Whitman 

preached  from  Joh:  19.  34.  in  ye  evening  I  preached  at  ye 
School  house  from  Matt.  6.  29. 

—  4.  Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  rom.  5.  8.  and  administred 
ye  Sacrament  and  P.M:  from  phil.  4.  18.  Pricilla  negro  pro- 
pounded to  own  ye  covenant. 

—  6.     This  day     .     .     .     Mr.  Steel  here,  Uncle  James  at  night. 

-  7.     This  day  uncle  William  here,     in  ye  afternoon  I  attended  a 

meeting  of  ye  proprietors  of  Hartland.1 

-  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Nathaniel  y* 

son  of  Joseph  Olcot  and  Ruth  ye  daughter  of  Jedediah 
Richards.  God  bless  his  word 


1  The  territory  now  known  as  Hartland  was  part  of  those  lands  granted  by  the  General  Court 
in  1687  to  the  towns  of  Windsor  and  Hartford  "  to  make  a  plantation  or  villages  thereon."  Con- 
troversy subsequently  arising,  it  was  in  1726  agreed  that  the  lands  should  be  divided  and  a  half  of 
them  confirmed  to  Hartford  and  Windsor.  By  deeds  of  partition  in  1732  "  four  parcels  of  land  lying 
within  said  tract  were  set  out  to  the  patentees  of  the  town  of  Hartford,"  and  one  of  them  was 
named  Hartland,  i.  e.  Hartford  land.  The  first  proprietors'  meeting  was  held  in  Hartford,  July  io, 
1733.  Others  followed  as  above. 


1 744]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  iir 

-  13.     This  day     .     .     .     Mr.  White  of  Bolton  here. 

-  15.     This  day     ...     in  ye  afternoon  Joined  Edward  Dod  and 

Rebecca  Barnard  in  marriage 

-  18.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  Deut.  32.  15.     And  P.M: 

from  Amos  5.  6.     God  grant  that  his  word  may  take  deep  root 

-  20.     This  day  a  church    meeting,      the  church    voted    Joseph 

Wadsworth  Junr.  not  to  be  admitted  to  own  ye  coven*,  and 
James  Shepard  to  render  satisfaction  &c.  or  be  censured 

-  25.     Lords  day  Mr.  Morison  preached  A:M:  from  Josh.  24.  15. 

and  I  preached  P.M.  from  psal.  32.  5.  and  baptized  Rachel 
ye  daughter  of  Joseph  Shepard  Junr.  Pricilla  a  negro  woman 
made  a  publick  confession  &c.  owned  y"  Covenant  and  was 
baptized. 

-  28.     This  day  in  Study.     Rector  Clap  here  at  night. 

—  29.     This  day  lecture  in  ye  afternoon       I  preached  from  i.  Cor. 

15-  3- 

—  30.     This  day  Mr.  Clap  went  from  hence. 

April  begins 

April  i.  Lords  day  I  preached  .  .  .  and  administred  ye  Sac- 
rament and  .  .  .  had  a  contribution  for  Richard  Seymour 
and  Sam".  Jones  of  Canaan  ' 

-  5.     This  day  went   to  Weathersfield  preached  at   night  at  ye 

School  house  from  Jam.  4.  14. 

—  6.     This  day     ...     nil  remarkable  occurs 

-  7.     This  day     ...     nil  remarkable  occurs. 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  i  Cor.  15.  58.     y*  Lord 

bless  his  word  and  make  it  powerfull 

—  9.     This  day  lecture  in  ye  forenoon  Mr.  Whitman  preached  from 

psal.  78.  72.  freemans  meeting  Capt.  Marsh  and  Mr.  Bucking- 
ham chosen  Deputies. 

—  ii.     This  day  a  publick  fast.     I  preached  A.M.  from  Jer.  2.  19. 

and  Mr.  Whitman  P.M.  from  Jer.  18.  7.  8.  ye  Lord  hear  our 
prayers  and  accept  our  humiliations. 

-  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Matt.  26.  41.     ye  Lord 

accompany  it  with  his  blessing. 

-  16.     This  day  went  to  Farmington         saw   my  friends  in  usual 

health  Laus  Deo. 

-  17.     This  day  returned  from  Farmington,  found  my  family  well 

Laus  Deo. 


1  The  people  of  Canaan  were  struggling  with  a  church-building  enterprise  in  their  but  newly- 
commenced  settlement.  The  contribution  was  probably  in  aid  of  this  effort,  though  possibly  it  had 
a  more  personal  character. 


\\±  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1744 

-  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  luk.  12.  58.  59.    ... 

-  25.     .     .     .     at  night  Daniel   Eggleston  and  Mary  Ashley  were 

married 

-  26.     This    day    visited     Mr.     Woodbridge     &     Mr.     Edwards, 

returned  &c. 

-  29.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  prov.  4.  23.     And 

baptized  Elizabeth  ye  daughter  of  Diostheus  Humphreys,  went 
thro'  my  work  with  great  difficulty  by  reason  of  a  great  cold. 

—  30.     This  day  reading  Neals  History  of  the  Puritans  &°. 

May  1744 

This  day  reading  Neal  &°.     in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture  at 
Whitmans  meeting.     Mr.  Whitman  preached   from  Matt. 

27-  51- 

-  6.     Lords  day   I  preached  A.M.     .     .     .     and  administred  ye 

Sacrament  and  P.M     .     .     .     ye  Lord  bless  his  word      .     . 

-  7.     This  day     ...     nil  remarkable  occurs 

—  8.     This  day     ...     nil  remarkable  occurs 

-  9.     This  day     ...     at  night  Jonathan  Catlin  of  Harwinton 

and  Thankfull  Collier  of  Hartford  were  Joined  in  marriage 
-TO.     This  day  Gen",  election         Mr.  Worthington  preached  from 
psal.  77.  last  verse  &°.     Gov.  Dept.  Gov.  and  assistants  as  in  ye 
year  past. 

-  13.     Lords  day  Mr.  Whittelsey  preached  for  me.     A:M:  from 

luk.  12.  54         and  P.M:  from  luk.  13.  3. 

-  15.     This  day  went  to  Litchfield. 

-  16.     The   Councel    convened    at    Litchfield.1      determined    ye 

business 

-  17.     This  day  returned  home,  found  my  family  well.     Laus  Deo. 

-  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  2  pet.  3.  14    ye  Lord 

bless  his  work     .     .    '. 
—  24.     This  day  little  study     Spent  some  time  at  Court 

-  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from   i   Cor.  9.  24     And 

baptized  Hannah  y"  daughter  of  Jonathan  Olcot.     .     .     . 

-  28.     This  day  reading  Shepards  Sound  believer 


1  Rev.  Timothy  Collins  (ante,  p.  81)  had  been  a  good  while  in  difficulties  in  his  parish.  The 
trouble  was  partially  about  the  raising  of  his  salary  and  had  manifested  itself  as  far  back  as  1728. 
This  year,  however,  1744,  the  town  voted  "  not  to  make  any  rate  for  Mr.  Collins  under  present 
difficulties"  ;  and  the  following  year  voted  to  appoint  a  committee  to  "  eject  Mr.  Collins  from  the 
parsonage  right."  Underlying  any  salary  difficulty,  however,  was  the  ecclesiastical  one.  Mr. 
Collins  was  an  Old  Light,  and  the  consociation  of  that  region  was  dominated  by  Dr.  Bellamy  and 
New  Light  sympathies.  Mr.  Collins  was  engineered  out  of  his  pulpit  by  their  combined  influences 
in  1752  ;  but  continued  to  reside  in  Litchfield,  practice  medicine,  and  serve  in  public  office  with  the 
apparent  approval  of  his  townsmen  till  his  death.  Probably  the  council  to  which  Mr.  Wadsworth 
went  on  this  occasion  was  on  some  phase  of  Mr.  Collins'  protracted  church  tribulations. 


1744]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  113 

—  30.     This    day    visited    a    poor    distressed    creature.      Some 

reading  &°. 

—  31.     This    day   Study.      lecture    in    ye   afternoon    Mr.    Welles 

preached  from  heb.  10.  20 

June  begins. 

June  i.     This  day   in   study.     ye  Gen".  Assembly   broke   up   in   ye 
afternoon 

—  3.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Matt.  12.  18.  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacrament  .  .  .  in  ye  morning  about  10  o'clock 
was  an  earthquake 

—  4.     .     .     .     in  y9  afternoon  comes  news  y*  war  with  France  was 

proclaimed  in  Boston  Last  Saturday,  a  paquet  comes  to  our 
Govern',  with  orders  for  y*  same 

-  5.     This  day  went  to  Farmington         the  association  met  there 

—  6.     This  day  Lecture  at  Farmington,  Mr.  Steel  preached  from 

Ezk.  5.  8.     returned  home  found  my  family  well 

-  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Eccles.  12.  i.     .     .     . 

in  ye  afternoon  catechised  ye  children,  in  ye  forenoon  ye  Coun- 
cel  of  war  sat  to  concert  measures  to  go  to  Albany  to  deal 
with  ye  Indians.  Commissioners  to  set  out  tomorrow  morning ' 

-  ii.     This  day  Dep:  Gov.  Wolcot  &  Col:  Stanly  set  out  with  a 

guard  for  Albany  to  treat  with  ye  Indians,  and  in  ye  afternoon 
a  declaration  of  war  against  ye  French  King  was  published 
here. 

-  13.     This  day   indisposed.      ye  heat  of  ye  weather   exceeding 

great. 

-  14.     .     .     .     Mr.  Rector  Clap  here  at  night.     I  pray  ye  Lord  to 

bless  him 

-  1 6.     .     .     .     went  over  ye  river 

-  17.     Lords  day  preached  at  ye  East  side,  from  rom.  5.  12.  A.M. 

and  from  Eccl.  2.  17.  P.M.,  returned  home  found  my  family 
well  Laus  Deo. 

-  19.     This  day  went  to  Durham  to  the  general  association2 


1  The  declaration  of  war  by  France  against  England  which  had  been  made  on  March  4th  of 
this  year  (1744)  had  awakened  alarm  as  to  the  attitude  of  the  Indians  of  the  Northwest  border.  It 
was  deemed  necessary  to  treat  with  them  to  neutralize  the  French  influence  always  so  easily  opera- 
tive in  stirring  up  hostility  to  the  English  interests. 

a  The  General  Association  at  this  Durham  meeting  answered  the  following  questions  : 

"  Whither  a  minister  or  a  number  of  ministers  Entring  into  any  Established  parish  in  this 
Government  &  then  Gathering  a  Ch  of  members  that  had  before  disorderly  separated  themselves 
from  the  Ch  to  which  they  belonged,  and  some  of  them  actually  under  Ecclesiastical  Censure,  be 
not  matter  of  offence.  Voted  in  the  Affirmative. 

Whither  to  require  persons  perticularly  to  promise  to  walk  in  Communion  with  this  Ch  of 
Christ  into  w'ch  they  Seek  admission  concienciously  attending  and  upholding  the  Public  worship 
of  God  in  this  place  till  regularly  dismist  therefrom  be  a  hard  or  unreasonable  term  of  Communion. 
Resolve  in  the  negative." 

'5 


I  i4  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1744 

—  20.     This  day  at  Durham   at  ye  Gen"  Association,    Mr.   Hall 

preached  from  Joh.  17.  21. 

—  21.     This  day  returned  home,  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 

—  22.     .     .     .     brother  Lewis  here  from  Boston 

—  23.     This  day  reading  Shackfords  Connection:  magazine  &c. 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.  50.  22.  and 

catechised  ye  children     .     .     . 

—  26.     This  day  reading     .     .     .     Doctr  Colmans  Sermon  on  ye 

death  of  Gov.  Holden ' 

—  27.     This  day  reading  Shackfords  Connection,  Sir  Isaac  New- 

tons  Chronology  &°. 

—  29.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture  at  ye  South 

meeting  house         Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  rev.  19.  9. 

July  begins 

July  i.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  2  tim.  2.  8.  and  ad- 
ministred  ye  Sacrament  of  ye  Lords  Supper 

—  3.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  Division     Col:  Stanley  returned 

from  Albany  recovered  of  his  indisposition 

—  7.     This  day  reading,  Prince,  Penhallow  &c         Thomas  Clap 

died 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  i  pet.  5.  9.  and  bap- 

tized Isaac  and  Isaiah  Twin  sons  of  Moses  Ensign         Thomas 
Clap  was  buried. 

—  12.     This    day    visited    ye    sick   ye    Gov.    &    Councel    I    hear 

have  appointed  a  fast  on  ye  3d  Wednesday  of  August  next. 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  81.  ii.  12.    .    ,    . 

—  17.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  Division  examined  and  approved 

Mr.  Mills."     examined  Mr.  Webster,3  adjourned  his  examina- 
tion to  ye  i!t  Tuesday  in  September 

—  18.     This  day  visited  ye  sick,     in  ye  afternoon  Mr.  Gay4  of  Suf- 

field  and  his  wife  here 

—  20.     This  day     .      .      .     Isaiah   ye  son   of  Moses   Ensign   was 

buried. 

—  21.     .     .     .     went  over  ye  river  in  ye  afternoon 


1  Samuel  Holden,  Governor  of  the  Bank  of   England,  had  been  a  benefactor  of  the  Province 
of  Massachusetts,  and  his  death  in  1740  was  made  the  occasion  of  a  discourse  by  Dr.  Benjamin  Col- 
man  of  Boston  before  the   General  Court  there.     "  Holden   Chapel  "  at   Cambridge,  Mass.,  was 
built  in  his  memory  and  by  gifts  supplied  by  his  widow  and  daughters. 

2  Doubtless  the  Gideon  Mills  ordained  the  following  fifth  day  of  September  at  Simsbury,  q.  v. 
*  David  Webster  (see  Oct.  nth,  seq.)  born  at   Glastonbury,  Jan.  29,  1721  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1741  ; 

became  a  lawyer  failing  in  ability  to  become  a  minister ;  died  in  Berlin  May  12,  1806. 

«  Rev.  Ebenezer  Gay  ;  born   in   Dedham,  Mass.;  grad.  H.  C.  1737;  died  at   Suffield  in   1796, 
•after  a  ministry  of  fifty-three  years. 


1/44]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  115 

—  22.     Lords  day  preached  at  ye  East  Side  from  rom.  10.  3.  per 

totum  and  baptized  Rebecca  ye  daughter  of  Solomon  Oilman, 
returned  in  ye  evening  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 

-  24.     This  day   in    ye   afternoon   went    to    Farmington.      Sister 

Ruth  sick1 

-  26.     This  day  went  to  Farmington.     my  sister  Ruth  sick. 

-  27.     This  day  returned  from  Farmington,  my  sister  Ruth  some- 

what better  Laus  Deo 

-  29.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M:  from  heb.  12.  10.  &  P.M.  from 

Matt:  13.  22.  and  baptized  Eunice  ye  daughter  of  John 
Shepard. 

-  30.     This  day     .     .     .     in   ye  afternoon   died  John  Cole  very 

suddenly  in  the  meadow. 

—  31.     .     .     .     John  Cole  Interred 

August  begins 

Aug.  2.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  Lecture,  I  preached 
from  i.  pet.  3.  18 

—  4.     This    day     .     .     .     in    ye   afternoon    Robert  Webster  was 

Interred. 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  i.  pet.  3.  18  and  adminis- 

tred  ye  Sacrament  and  P.M.  from  Eccles.  88.  I  pray  god  to 
bless  .  .  . 

—  6.     This  day  visited  ye  sick  &c.     nil  remarkable  occurs 

—  12.     Lords  day  I  preacht     .     .     .     and  baptized  William  ye  son 

of  Capt.  George  Wyllys. 

—  14.     This  day  studying  a  sermon  for  ye  fast,     heard  a  sorrow- 

full  account  of  ye  wickedness  of  one  of  my  parishioners,  o 
God  I  pray  thee  restrain  and  reform  him.  direct  and  assist 
me  in  y*  discharge  of  my  duty  to  him. 

-  15.     This  day  a  publick  fast  on  ace1,  of  ye  war  I  preached  A:M: 

from  2  chron.  20.  3.  4.  and  Mr.  Whitman  P:M:  from  Deut. 
20.  3.  4. 

-  19.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     . 

-  22.     This   day  went  to  Farmington,  saw   my  friends  in  usual 

health,     returned  home  Laus  Deo. 

—  25.     .     .     .     Lord  prepare  me  I  pray  for  thine  holy  Sabbath. 

—  26.     Lords  day  I  preached      .     .      .      and  baptized  Rachel  y* 

daughter  of  Stephen  Turner 

—  28.     This  day  in  ye  afternoon  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge 

—  30.     This  day  in  Study:  in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture  at  M  .  Whit- 

mans meeting.     Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  Dan.  9.  24. 


1  Wife  of  Elisha  Lewis  of  Farmington. 


u6  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1744 

—  31.     This  day  in  Study.     Europe  in  a  Tumult 

September  begins 

Sept.  2.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Ezek.  9.  9.  and  ad- 
ministred  ye  Sacrament,  admitted  Isaac  Clark  into  ye  church. 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  Symsbury.     Mr.  Gideon   Mills'  ordained 

there.  I  began  ye  solemnities  with  prayer,  the  Revd.  Mr.  Whit- 
man of  Farmington  preached  from  Eph.  4.  n.  Mr.  Colton 
made  ye  prayer  before  ye  charge  Mr.  Whitman  of  Farmington 
gave  ye  charge  Mr.  Bissel  made  ye  next  prayer,  Mr.  Whitman 
of  Hartford  gave  ye  right  hand  of  Fellowship,  a  very  rainy 
day. 

—  6.     This  day  returned  home  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo. 
Saw  a  sorrowfull  spectacle  by  ye  way. 

-  8.     This  day  in  Study.     Mr.  Townsend  and  Mr.  Allyn  *  here  from 

Boston 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from   Matt.   3.   8.   9.  and 

baptized  Jerusha  ye  daughter  of  Hezekiah  Marsh. 

—  10.     This  day  travelled  to  Wallingford. 

-  ii.     This  day  went  to  New-Haven         Saw  many  of  my  friends 

there 

—  12.     This  day  commencement  at   New-Haven,  ye  affairs  of  it 

conducted  with  decency  and  order 

—  14.     This  day  returned  home  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 

—  1 6.     Lords   day    I   preached  per   totum  from  rom:  3.   16.  and 

baptized  Isaac  ye  son  of  Isaac  Clark 

—  1 8.     This  day  reading  Edwards  preacher3         Mr.  Carpenter4  of 

Hull  here  in  ye  afternoon. 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached   pr.  totum  from   i  Cor.  15.  34.  and 

baptized  Daniel  ye  son  of  Capt.  John  Talcot. 

—  24.     This  day  reading  Edwards  preacher 

—  25.     This  day  reading  Edwards  preacher  visiting  &c. 

—  28.     This  day  is  twelve  year  since  my  ordination,  blessed  be 

god  y*  has  preserved  me  alive  thus  Long 


1  Rev.  Gideon  Mills  was  born  at  Windsor,  Aug.  15,  1715  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1737  ;  taught  the  Hop- 
kins Grammar  School  in  New  Haven  in  1738  ;  ordained  at  Simsbury,  Sept.  5,  1744  ;  dismissed  in 
August,  1754  ;  installed  at  Canton,  Feb.  18,  1761 ;  died  in  office  Aug.  4,  1772.  He  was  a  younger 
brother  of  Rev.  Jedidiah  Mills,  and  like  him  a  New  Light. 

*  Perhaps  the  Jeremiah  Allen  mentioned  ante,  p.  40. 

3  The  Preacher,  a  book  by  Rev.  Dr.  John  Edwards,  a  Calvinist  divine  (1637-1716)  of  Col- 
chester and  Cambridge,  England.     The  book  was  published  in  three  parts,  successively  in  1705, 
1706,  and  1709. 

4  Rev.  Ezra  Carpenter,  grad.  H.  C.  1720  ;  died  1785.     He  sympathized  with  the  Whitefieldian 
revival,  but  objected  to  the  itinerating  habits  of  Whitefield's  followers. 


1744]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  117 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  4.  4.     I  pray 

God  to  bless  his  word     .     .     . 

October  1744 

Oct.  i.  This  day  visiting  ye  sick,  in  ye  morning  died  Capt.  John 
Marsh,  very  suddenly  aged  75  and  in  ye  afternoon  Thomas 
King  aged  59. 

—  2.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  Capt.  Marsh  was  Interred 

—  3.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  Thomas  King  was  Interred. 

—  5.     This  day     ...      in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture     I   preached 

from  heb.  i.  68.  69.  under  great  indisposition 

—  6.     This  day   .   .    .    heard  y'  ships  are  arrived  from  England  &°. 

—  7.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 

ment, in  ye  morning  died  Richard  Burnham  said  to  be  in  ye  90th 
year  of  his  age 

—  8.     This  day     .     .     .     Richard  Burnham  Interred. 

—  ii.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  Division  to  finish  ye  examination 

of  David  Webster,  find  him  Insufficient,  would  not  license  him.1 
Last  night  died  ye  widow  Mason 
-  12.     the  widow  Mason  buried  in  ye  90""  year  of  her  age 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Josiah  ye  son 

of  Daniel  Brace 

—  1 6.     This  day  some  reading  &c     Mr.  Chickley  "  of  Boston  here: 

nil  remarkable  occurs 

—  18.     This  day     .     .      .     brother  Lewis  and   Sister  here   from 

Boston 

—  21.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  i  thes:  5.  6     ... 

—  23.     This   day    went  to  Farmington,  saw  my  friends  in  usual 

health,  Laus  Deo 

—  24.     This  day  returned  from  Farmington  found  my  family  well 

Laus  Deo. 

—  25.     This  day  Study,  visiting  &°.     received  a  letter  from  Uncle 

James. 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  28.  5.     I  pray 

God  would  bless  his  word  and  pardon  my  imperfections 

—  31.     This  day  went  to  Stafford  to  ye  ordination  there 

November  begins 

Nov.  i.  This  day  Mr.  Colton 3  was  ordained  Mr.  B.  Colton  preached 
from  i  Cor.  4.  i.  2. 


1  A  nte,  July  lyth. 

2  Rev.  Samuel  Checkley,  pastor  of  the  New  South  church  in   Boston  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1715  ; 
died  1769. 

3  Rev.  Eli  Colton,  ante,  p.  86,  note. 


ii8  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1744 

—  2.     This  day  returned  home  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo. 

—  4.     Lords  day  Mr.  Welles  preached  for  me  A:M:  from  Isai.  55. 

6.  and  I  administred  ye  Sacrament,  and  P.M.  I  preached  from 
gal  i.  4.  Lord  bless  thy  word 

-  7.     This  day      .      .      .      visited  and  prayed  with  a  sick  man. 

Samuel  Marshal  died 

-  8.     This  day  publick  Thanksgiving     I  preached  from  psal.  31. 

21.  I  bless  ye  Lord  for  all  ye  Instances  of  his  kindness  to  me 
in  y*  year  past,  that  he  has  preserved  my  life,  ye  lives  of  my 
wife  children  and  family  and  for  ye  health  wee  have  been 
favoured  with,  for  any  fruit  in  my  ministry 

—  9.     This  day     .     .     .     Samuel  Marshal  buried 

-  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached    ...  I  pray  God  to  bless  his  word 

-  14.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge  &c.     my  birth  day. 

-  1 6.     This  day  in  Study,     at  night  finished  ye  settlement  of  ye 

Governors  Estate 

-  1 8.    "Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  i  pet.  i.  17.     /    .     . 

-  20.     This  day  went  to  Farmington.     saw  my  friends  well,  re- 

turned home  safe  Laus  Deo 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  2  thes.  i.  7.  8    .    .    . 

pardon  o  Lord  w'ever  thou  hast  seen  amiss  in  me. 

-  29.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture,  I  preached 

from  Col.  i.  19. 

December  1744 

Dec.  2.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  i   Cor.  3.  n.  and 
administred  y"  Sacrament     .     .     . 

-  8.     This    day    Study.       read    an    excellent    Caution    against 

Itinerants 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.  100.  13.     .     .     . 

-  10.     This  day  visiting  ye  sick  &c.     Mr.  Collins  here  at  night 

-  12.     This  day  went  to  Farmington.     Ye  Comtee.  of  ye  Association 

met  advised  New  Cambridge  to  Mr.  Newel 

-  14.     .     .     .     At  night  Joined  Doctr.  Daniel   Lathrop '  and  M". 

Jerusha  Talcot  in  marriage. 

—  15.     .     .     .     Mr.  Marsh  of  Kent  here  in  ye  afternoon. 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  phil.  2.  15.  and  P.M.  from 

heb.  3.  12.     I  pray  God  to  bless     .     .     . 

—  17.     This  day  visited  a  sick  child  &c.     Nil  remarkable  occurs 


1  Of  Norwich.  He  was  born  May  i,  1712  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1733  ;  studied  medicine  in  London  ; 
established  the  first  drug  store  in  Connecticut ;  became  by  his  marriage  Mr.  Wadsworth's  brother- 
in-law.  He  died  in  Norwich,  Jan.  8,  1782  ;  his  widow  died  at  the  same  place,  Sept.  14,  1805. 


1745]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  119 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached     ...     I  pray  y'  Gods  word  might 

be  accompanied  with  ye  operations  of  his  Spirit 

—  26.     This  day      .      .      .      reed,  a  letter  from  Mr.  Hunn  dated 

Dec.  3.  1744 

-  27.     This  day  in  Study,     blessed  be  god  that  has  disposed  my 

people  to  contribute  so  liberally  to  my  support,  may  I  be  ex- 
cited and  encouraged  to  serve  ym  faithfully  and  be  abundantly 
assisted  therein 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M:  from  matt.  7.  22.  23.  and  P.M. 

from  Matt.  5.  8  I  pray  god  to  make  his  work  awakening 
and  convincing  and  Instructive  to  them  y*  heard  it. 

January  begins  [1745] 

Jan.  2.     This  day  Study  &c.     went  to  ye  west  division         sent  a 
letter  to  Docf.  chauncey  pr  Mr  Butler 

—  3.     .     .     .     Sent  a  letter  to  Mr.  Hunn  pr.  Mr.  Day.     in  ye  after- 

noon a  lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting.  Mr.  Whitman 
preached  from  heb.  9.  15 

-  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Johs  13.  34  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacrament  Elijah  Cadwell  owned  ye  Covenant 
and  Elijah  his  son  was  baptized 

-  10.     This  day  study,  visiting  &°.     remember  o   Lord  ye  poor 

Lame  person  I  have  visited  this  day,  relieve  and  heal  her. 

-  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.  96.  9.     I  pray 

God  to  bless  his  word  and  make  it  effectual 

-  16.     This  day  in  Study.     Mr.  Marsh  and  Mr.  Mills  here 

-17.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge. 

-  19.     This  day  in  Study,     a  weighty  case  propounded  to  me,  I 

pray  god  assist  and  direct  me  in  ye  resolution  of  it 
20.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  luk.  5.  32.     Thomas  Burr 
Junr.  owned  the  Covenant  and  Samuel   ye  son  of  Thomas  Burr 
Junr.  was  baptized 

-  21.     This  day  in  visiting  &c.     reading  magazine,  Dr.  Chaunceys 

Sermon  &c. 

-  22.     This  day  Travelled  to  Bolton         Lodged  at  Mr.  Whites. 

—  23.     This  day  travelled  to  Norwich 

-  24.     This  day  spent  at  Norwich         in  the  afternoon  a  lecture 

Mr.  Lord  preached  from  Joh.  12.  57. 

—  25.     This  day  set  out  for  home,     came  to  East-hartford,  snowy 

in  ye  afternoon 

—  26.     This  day  got  home  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo. 


WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1745 

-  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  luk.  5:  32  &  P.M.  from 

prov.  ii.  21.     I  pray  God  to  bless  his  word     .     .     . 

—  30.     This  day  in  Study,     wrote  a  letter  also  to  Mr.  Whittlesey l 

-  31.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  preached  a  lecture  from 

rev.  14.  4. 

February 

Feb.  3.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  rev.  14.  4.  and  ad- 
ministred  ye  Sacrament.     .     .     . 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  ye  association  at  Windsor,     y*  association 

agreed  upon  a  Testimony  ag*.  Mr.  Whitefield1 

-  6.     at  ye  association  &c.     Mr.  Whitman  of  H.  preached  a  lecture 

from  Joh.  15.  5. 

—  7.     This  day     .     .     .     recd.  a  letter  from  Mr.  Clap 

-  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  prov.  n.  21  and  P.M: 

from  rom.  6.  22. 

-  17.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  rom.  6.  22.  and  P.M.  from 

prov.  i.  24.  25.  26. 

-  19.     This  day  Study,  visiting  &c.     a  negro  committed  to  prison 

for  a  Rape. 

-  22.     This   day  in   Study.         2   delinquents   here   to   discourse 

about  confessing  &c. 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  prov.  i.  24.  25.  26.  and 

P.M:  from  prov.  28.  13.      Moses  Barnard  his  wife  owned  ye 
Covenant 

—  25.     This  day  went  to  Kensington  to  visit  my  friends 


1  Probably  Rev.  Samuel  Whittlesey  of  Wallingford,  or  his  son,  Rev.  Samuel  Whittlesey  of 
Milford ;  both  were  "Old  Lights."  The  father  was  born  at  Saybrook  in  1686;  grad.  Y.  C.  1705; 
ordained  at  Wallingford  May  17,  1710;  Fellow  of  Y.  C.  from  1732  onward  ;  preached  the  Election 
Sermon  May  13,  1731  ;  died  April  15,  1752. 

The  son  was  born  at  Wallingford  July  10,  1713  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1729 ;  ordained  at  Milford  Dec. 
9,  1737 ;  died  in  office  Oct.  22,  1768. 

4  A  second  journey  of  Mr.  Whitefield  was  now  anticipated.  In  view  of  it  the  Association  of 
Hartford  County,  like  many  other  similar  bodies,  adopted  a  Testimony  against  his  methods.  It 
will  suffice  to  quote  only  a  portion  of  this  document. 

"As  the  Errors,  Disorders  and  Confusions  which  for  some  years  past  have  so  generally 
prevailed  through  the  Churches  of  this  Land,  had  their  Rise  (as  we  apprehend)  from  the  Preach- 
ing and  Management  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  George  White_field  in  his  former  visit  to  New  England 

.  we  the  associated  Ministers  in  the  Northern  Part  of  the  County  of  Hartford  think  it 
needful  to  bear  a  publick  Testimony  against  him  and  his  conduct  .  .  .  hereby  declaring  that 
under  the  present  Circumstances  of  Things  we  shall  by  no  Means  admit  him  into  any  of  our 
Pulpits,  and  in  Faithfulness  to  the  People  under  our  respective  Charges  we  would  solemnly  warn 
and  caution  them  to  take  Heed  and  beware  of  Him." 

The  Testimony  was  signed  by  the  following  named  pastors :  Benjamin  Colton,  [West]  Hart- 
ford ;  Stephen  Steel,  Tolland  ;  Thomas  White,  Bolton ;  Elnathan  Whitman,  Hartford  ;  Daniel 
Wadsworth,  Hartford  ;  Stephen  Heaton,  Goshen  ;  Jonathan  Marsh  Jr.,  New  Hartford  ;  Samuel 
Whitman,  Farmington ;  Samuel  Woodbridge,  [East]  Hartford;  John  McKinstry,  Ellington;  Timo- 
thy Collins,  Litchfield  ;  Daniel  Fuller,  Willington  ;  Andrew  Bartholomew,  Harwinton  ;  Eli  Colton, 
Stafford  ;  Elisha  Webster,  Canaan  ;  Cyrus  Marsh,  Kent. 


1/45]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  121 

—  26.     This  day  went  to  New-Haven 

-  27.     This  day  spent  at  New=Haven  visiting  &c. 

—  28.     This  day  returned  from  N.  Haven  found  my  family  well, 

Laus  Deo. 

March  begins 

Mch.  3.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  act.  5.  31.  and  ad- 
ministred  ye  Sacrament.     ye  Lord  bless  his  word. 

—  5.     This  day     .     .     .     prayed  at  ye  Court,  ye  Superior  Court 

opened 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  22.  27.     I  pray 

God  to  forgive  w'soever  he  has  seen  amiss  in  me     .     .     . 

—  12.     This  day  sold  Stafford  Land 

-  13.     This  day  spent  mainly  at  Court,  Pomp  a  negro  man  tried 

for  a  rape 

—  14.     This  day    .     .     .    y*  Gen".  Assembly  met,  prayed  at  Court 

in  ye  afternoon 

—  15.     This  day     .     .     .     reckoned  with  Capt.  Hooker  paied  him 

in  full,  ,£83.  1 6^.  od. 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  luk.  18.  21.  22.  23. 

-  19.     This  day  prayed  at  Court,  visited  ye  sick  &c.     the  Court 

break  up 

—  20.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  went  over  ye  River  on  a  visit.     I 

pray  God  to  direct  me  to  a  suitable  subject  to  preach  upon 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  prov.  3.  6. 

—  28.     .     .     .     This  day  Deputy  Governour  Wolcot  set  out  for 

N:  London  in  order  to  embark   for  ye  Expedition  ag*  Cape 
Breton ' 
—  31.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  psal.  18.  6.     ... 

April  begins  — 1745 

Apr.  3.     This  day  a  publick  fast,  I  preached  A:M:  from  Deut.  23. 
9.  and  Mr.  Whitman  P.M.  from  psal.  20.  7.     ... 

—  4.     This  day  visiting  &c.     prayed  with  Capt  Church  his  com- 

pany, which  set  out  for  New-London  in  order  to  embark  upon 


1  A  special  session  of  the  Assembly  had  been  called  at  New  Haven  on  the  26th  of  February 
and  "  concluded  and  resolved,  (relying  on  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God,)  to  joyn  with  the  neigh- 
boring governments  in  the  intended  expedition  against  his  Majesty's  enemies  at  Cape  Breton  and 
parts  adjacent."  It  was  further  resolved  "  That  the  number  of  five  hundred  able-bodied,  effective 
men  for  the  land  service  be  suitably  encouraged  to  inlist"  by  wages,  premiums,  and  "equal  share 
in  all  the  plunder."  The  ''  Colony  Sloop  Defence"  was  immediately  put  in  readiness,  and  suitable 
and  "sufficient  transports  hired."  Lt.-Gov.  Roger  Wolcott  was  appointed  Commander-in-Chief ; 
Maj.  Andrew  Burr,  Colonel ;  Capt.  Simon  Lathrop,  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  Capt.  Israel  Newton, 
Major ;  while  eight  Captains,  including  James  Church  of  Hartford,  were  designated  for  the 
enterprise. 

16 


122  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [i/45 

ye  Expedition  ag'  Cape  Breton  I  pray  ye  Lord  of  hosts  go 
with  them 

-  7.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  Cant.  i.  4.  and  adminis- 

tred  ye  Sacrament  and  P.M.  from  eph.  5.  6.  and  baptized  Abi- 
gail ye  daughter  of  William  Nickols.  John  Spencer  Jun'. 
owned  ye  Covenant. 

—  8.  This  day  Freemans  meeting  I  preached  a  Lecture  from 
rom.  13.  4.  and  M'.  Buckingham  and  Mr.  Joseph  Talcot  were 
chosen  Deputies. 

—  9.     This  day   reading  Windhams  Letter,  Willisons  Catechism 

&c. 

-  10.     This  day     .     .     .     in  y*  afternoon  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge 

-  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  rom.  5.  10.  and  bap- 

tized John  ye  son  of  Edward  Dod  and  Elizabeth  ye  daughter 
of  John  Spencer  Junr. 

-  15.     This  day  visiting  &c.     Nathaniel  Andrus,  who  died  yester- 

day, Interred. 

—  1 6.     .     .     .     heard  that  our  forces  sailed  from  N:  London  last 

Lords  day  for  Cape  Breton 

—  1 8.     This  day  Study,  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Clap. 

—  21.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  gen.   18.   19.  and 

baptized  Ruth  the  daughter  of  Edward  Cadwell  Junr. 

—  23.     This  day  in  Study,     this  morning  died   M".   Mary  Ham 

very  suddenly 

—  24.     This  day  Publick  fast.     I  preached  A:M:  from  Eccles.  9. 

1 8,  and  Mr.  Whitman  P.M:  from  2  Chron.  6.  34.  35.  at  night 
Mrs.  Ham  buried 

—  25.     This  day  in  Study.     Eleazer  Peck  and  Sarah- King  Joined 

in  marriage 

—  26.     This  day     .     .     .     wrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  Clap 

-  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  39.  4. 

—  29.     This  day  visiting  &c.     recd.  a  letter  from  Doctr.  Chauncey. 

May  begins. 

May  3.     This  day  in  Study,  nil  remarkable' occurs,     (my  creatures 
went  to  ye  West  Division  to  pasture  this  day). 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Jam.  i.  21.  and  P.M.  from 

Jer.  2.  19  and  baptized  Elizabeth  ye  daughter  of  Moses  Burr 

—  7.     This  day  ye  Superior  Court  opened  here     I  prayed  at  Court 

—  9.     This  day  Election.      Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  2  Sam. 

23.  4.     Gov.  Dep:  Gov.  and  assistants  as  in  ye  year  past. 

—  ii.     This  day     ...     a  man  y'  was  drowned  in  ye  great  river 

some  time  ago  buried 


1745]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  123 

—  12.     Lords  day  Mr.  Hunn  preached  for  me  from  i  Cor.  15.  58. 

—  13.     This  day     .     .     .     Mr.  Hunn  went  from  hence 

—  15.     This  day  prayed  at  Court         the  upper  house  passed  ye 

new  Charter  for  ye  College ' 

—  17.     This  day  in  business  Relating  to  the  college 

—  19.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  heb.  12.  4.  and  bap- 

tized James  ye  Son  of  Timothy  Biggelow 

—  20.     This  day  reading  Present  State  of  great  Brittain  &c. 

—  21.     This  day  news  from  Cape  Breton  that  ye  royal  Battery  is 

taken,  ye  english  army  encamped  before  ye  Town 

—  26.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Joh.  4.  10.  and  P.M:  from 

Joh.  5.  25.  and  Baptized  Mabel  ye  daughter  of  Abraham  Cad- 
well.     .     .     . 

—  28.     This  day  Study  £c.     at  night  ye  Post  Returned  from  Bos- 

ton, no  news  from  Cape=Breton 

—  30.     This  day  in  Study.     Ye  general  assembly  adjourned  with- 

out day. 

—  31.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  had  a  lecture    preached 

from  Joh.  5.  25. 
June  begins 

June  2.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from   Eph.  5.  2.  and  ad- 
ministred  ye  Sacram*.     .     .     . 

—  4.     This  day  went  to  Tolland,  ye  assoc".  Sat  there 

—  5.     This   day  lecture  at    Tolland  I  preached   from  Col.  i.  28. 

came  to  Bolton  much  indisposed. 

—  6.  This  day  returned  home         found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo. 

—  9.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  rom.  13.  12.     .     .     . 

—  12.     Thi%day  Study,  visiting  &c.     Mr.  Reynolds "  here. 
-  13.     This  day     ...     nil  remarkable 

—  14.     This  day     ...     nil  remarkable 

—  15.     This  day     ...     nil  remarkable 

—  1 6.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  phil.  i.  27.     had  a 

brief  or  collection  for  Thorn:  Hudson. 


1  This  was  an  act  for  the  enlargement  of  the  powers  of  the  corporation  of  the  Collegiate 
School  and  an  alteration  of  the  corporate  name  to  that  of  "  The  President  and  Fellows  of  Yale 
College  in  New  Haven."     Mr.  Wadsworth  was  one  of  the  corporators  at  this  time  (and  one  of  the 
petitioners  for  the  enlarged  powers  of  the  new  charter),  having  been  chosen  into  the  body  in  Sep- 
tember, 1743,  to  succeed  Rev.  Samuel  Woodbridge  of  East  Hartford,  who  at  that  time  resigned. 

2  Probably  Rev.  Peter  Reynolds  of  Enfield.     He  was  born  in  Bristol,  R.  I.;  grad.  H.  C.  1720; 
ordained  at  Enfield,  1724  ;  died  1768. 

3  A  letter,  in  English  use,  authorizing  a  charitable  contribution.     "This  day  in  our  Church 
was  read  the  Briefe  for  a  collection  for   the  relief  of  y«  Protestant   French."     Evelyn's  Diary, 
April  25,  1686. 


124  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [i?45 

—  19.     This  day  went  to  Newington.     Mr.  Woodbridge  preached 

a  lecture  from  2.  tim.  2.  19. 

—  20.     .      .      .      Brothr.    Lewis   from   Boston,      hews  from   Cape 

Breton  of  the  death  of  Major  Newton1 

-  23.     Lords   day   I    preached   pr.   totum    from    Isai.  55.  6.  and 

Catechised  ye  Children 

—  24.     This  day  visiting,  reading  &c.     Mr.  Nott  here  at  night 

—  26.     This    day    much    indisposed,  ye  soldiers  sent  from    here 

toward  New-london  in  order  to  embark  for  Cape-Breton:  Mr. 
Clap  here  at  night. 

—  27.     .     .     .     LieutDt.  Root2  came  home  from  Cape  Breton 

—  29.     .     .     .     Mr.  Clap  here  this  day 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from   i  pet.  4.  7.     And 

baptized  Timothy  the  son  of  Caleb  Spencer. 

July 

July  4.     This  day     ...     in  ye  afternoon  lecture  at  Mr.  Whit- 
mans meeting         Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  2  Cor.  5.  18. 

—  5.     ...     at  night  comes  news  y'  Cape  Breton  is  taken 

—  7.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  heb.  9.  4.  and  admin- 

istred  ye  Sacrament  and  baptized  Timothy  ye  Son  of  Barzillai 
Clark  and  Moses  ye  son  of  Moses  Burr  and  Rebecca  ye  daughter 
of  Samuel  Andrews. 

—  8.     This  day  visiting  &c.     in  ye  afternoon  publick  rejoycing  on 

account  of  ye  Taking  of  Cape  Breton. 

—  12.     This  day  in  Study,  ye  news  of  ye  Reduction  of  Cape  Breton 

confirmed. 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached   per   totum  from  rom.   16.   17.  and 

baptized  Lois  the  daughter  of  Moses  Cadwell       v 

—  1 8.     .     .     .     Last  night  died  William  Keith 

-  19.     This  day  study,  Wm.  Keith  Interred 

-  20.     .     .      .     at  night  heard  y*   Major  General  Wolcott  and 

Doctr.  Farnsworth  3  are  got  home  from  Cape  Breton 

—  21.     Lords  day  Mr.  Welles  preached  for  me  from  prov.  3.  17.  .  .  . 

and  P.M.  I  preached  from  psal.  94.  12. 

—  22.     This  day  visited   Docf.   Farnsworth   who  Returned  last 

Saturday  from  Cape  Breton. 


1  Ante,  p.  121,  note.     Maj.  Newton  was  from  Colchester. 

a  Timothy  Root  was  from  Farmington. 

3  Dr.  Joseph  Farnsworth  appointed  by  the  Assembly  in  March  "to  be  improved  as  Physician 
and  Surgeon's-Mate  in  the  expedition  against  Cape  Breton."  He  was  born  in  Hartford;  baptized 
by  Rev.  Timothy  Woodbridge  of  the  First  Church,  April  28,  1717 ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1736  ;  settled  at 
Wethersfield,  but  removed  about  1790  to  Vermont,  where  he  died  in  July,  1804. 


17451  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  125 

—  25.     This  day  publick  thanksgiving  on  ye  account  of  ye  success 

of  our  army  in  reducing  Louisburgh.     I  preached  from  i  Sam. 
17.  12. 

—  28.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  psal.  94.  12.  and  P.M: 

from  Deut.  6.  n.  12.  and  baptized  Nathaniel  ye  son  of  John 
Skinner  and  Daniel  ye  son  of  Daniel  Goodwin 

—  30.     This  day  Major  General  Wolcot  passed  thro'  this  Town  in 

his  way  home  from  Cape  Breton.     God  be  praised  for  his  safe 
Return.     Visited  Mr.  Woodbridge. 

—  31.     .     .     .     Ye  widow  Andrus  died  in  ye  morning. 

August  begins 
Aug.  i.     .     .     .     ye  widow  Andrus  Interred. 

—  3.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:  M.  from  Tit.  2.  14  and  administred 

y*  Sacrament,     in  ye  afternoon  Indisposed  and  went  not  out. 

—  6.     this  day  went  to  Farmington         Saw  my  friends  well. 

—  7.     this  day  returned  home  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo 

—  9.     .     .     .     This  day  Capt.  Church  returned  from  Cape  Breton 

—  ii.     Lords  day   I   preached      .      .      .      and  baptized   Ruth  ye 

daughter  of  Isaac  Clark 

—  12.     This  day     .     .     .     recd.  a   letter  from   Docf.  Morison  at 

lewisburgh 

—  18.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Daniel  ye  son 

Daniel  Skinner. 

—  19.  This  day  much  indisposed. 

—  21.  This  day     .     .     .     much  indisposed 

—  22.  This  day  in  Study,     nil  remarkable 

—  23.  This  day  in  Study,     nil  remarkable 

—  24.  This  day  in  Study,     nil  remarkable 

—  25.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  Joh.  1.12.     .     .     . 

—  26.     This  day  in  secular  business,     news  y*  ye  Duke  of  Tuscany 
is  elected  Emperor  of  Germany. 

—  28.     .     .     .     at  night  died  Cyprian  Nickels  Junr. 

—  29.     .     .     .     Mr.  Whitman  preached  a  lecture  from  psal.  118.  20. 

—  30.     .     .     .     Cyprian  Nickols  Junr.  Interred 

September  Begins 

Sept.  i.  Lords  day  I  preached  .  .  .  and  administred  y'  Sac- 
rament .  .  .  and  baptized  James  ye  son  of  Mr.  Samuel 
Talcot,  and  Jonathan  y"  son  of  Sam1.  Flag. 

—  7.     ...     ye  Widow  Hopkins  and  ye  wife  of  Deacon  Sheldon 

were  Interred 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum      .      .      .      and  baptized 

Martha  the  daughter  of  John  Spencer  Junr, 


126  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [i?45 

—  9.     This  day  set  out  for  New-Haven         Lodged  at  Wallingford 

—  ii.     Commencement  at  New-Haven.     26  graduated  A.  B. 

—  15.     Lords  day  Mr.  Wells  preached  for  me  A:M:  from  phil.  2. 

12.  and  P.M.  I  preached  from  rev.  3.  i.  and  baptized  Timothy 
ye  son  of  Timothy  Shepard 

-  1 8.     This  day  visited  ye  sick.     Mr.  Day  married  in  ye  afternoon. 

-  20.     This  day     ...     at  night   died   Abigail   ye  daughter  of 

Thomas  Hopkins 

-  21.     .     .     .     Thomas  Hopkins  his  daughter  Interred 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached     .    ,     . 

—  23.     This  day  visiting  ye  sick  &e.     in  y*  afternoon  wrote  Jona- 

than Ashleys  will. 

—  25.     .     .     .     Joseph  Shepards  child  died 

—  26.     .     .     .     Joseph  Shepards  son  buried 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     . 

October  begins 
Oct.  i.     This  day  went  to  Wintonbury.     the  association  met  there 

—  2.     This  day  lecture  at  Wintonbury     Mr.  Colton  preached  from 

act.  8.  39.     Mr.  Belden1  was  examined  and  licensed  to  preach. 

—  4.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  had  a  lecture,  preached 

from  phil.  2.  5. 

—  5.     This  day     .     .     .     heard  ye  Sorrowfull  news  of  y*  death  of 

my  kinsman  Samuel  Wadsworth  of  Farmington 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  luk.  24.  46.  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacrament  after  ye  afternoon  service  Jedidiah 
Atwood  made  publick  confession  of  sin  in  ye  disturbance  he 
made  sometime  ago  in  ye  meeting  house  reviling  ye  minister 
&c. 

—  10.     .     .     .     President  Clap  here  at  night,     news  y*  General 

Pepperel  is  made  a  Baronet,  Mr.  Warren  an  admiral  &  Govern', 
of  Cape  Breton8 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Thankfull  ye 

daughter  of  Daniel  Butler 

—  16.     Some  study,  received  a  letter  from  uncle  James 


1  Joshua  Belden,  born  at  Wethersfield  July  19,  1724  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1743  ;  ordained  at  Newing- 
ton  Nov.  n,  1747;  discharged  the  duties  of  his  office  till  Nov.,  1803  ;  died  after  ten  years  of  in- 
creasing feebleness,  July  23,  1813,  aged  89. 

2  These  awards  to  William  Pepperell  and  Peter  Warren  of  the  Massachusetts  contingent  of 
the  army  were  not,  perhaps,  envied  by  the  Connecticut  branch.     Still  it  was  not  without  annoyance 
that  they  saw  the  representations  made  in  behalf  of  the  Connecticut  troops  practically  ignored  in 
the  distribution  of  honors.     Dr.  Benj.  Trumbull,  writing  long  afterward,  says:  "  Nothwithstanding 
these  humble  and  earnest  solicitations,  I  believe  no  officer  except  captain,  afterward  general  Woos- 
ter,  who  went  on  business  to  England,  and  was  honoured  with  a  lieutenancy  and  half  pay  during 
life,  received  any  appointment  or  emolument  from  the  crown," 


i/45]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  127 

—  20.  This  Lords  day  preached  pr.  totum  from  rom.  6.  23.  bap- 
tized Nathaniell  the  son  of  Moses  Burnham.  Moses  Burnham 
owned  ye  Covenant  James  ye  son  of  Mr.  Samuel  Talcot 
died  an  Infant  about  two  months  old 


—  21.     This  day     .     .     .     James  Talcot  buried. 

—  26.     This  day     .     .     .     recd.  a  letter  from  Mr.  Clap. 

-  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  78. 

34-  35-  36- 

37-     ... 

November. 

Nov.  3.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  .  .  .  Levi  Jones 
owned  the  Covenant,  Julius  ye  son  of  Levi  Jones  was  bap- 
tized. 

—  4.     This  day  visiting  ye  sick  &c.     received  a  Letter  to  go  to  a 

Councel  at  N.  Cambridge 

—  6.     ...     heard  yl  ye  duke  of  Tuscany  is  elected  Emperor  &°. 

The  Pretenders  son  in  Scotland  makes  progress. 

—  7.     This  day  publick  thanks  giving     preached  from  psal.  126.  6. 

blessed  be  god  y*  has  carried  me  and  my  family  thro'  another 
year. 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  heb.  2.  3.     .     .     . 

—  13.     This  day  went  to  New-cambridge,  advised  Mr.  Newel1  not 

to  settle,  returned  home 

—  17.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Jam.  4:   17.  &  P:M  from 

2  tim.  3.  4     ... 

—  23.     This  day  in  Study,     news  y*  ye  french  and  Indians  have 

made  an  irruption  on  our  western  borders. 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.  94.  19.     ... 

—  28.     This  day  lecture,     I  preached  from  Joh.  3.  14.  15. 

December  begins 

Dec.  i.  Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Joh.  3.  14.  15. 
James  Shepard  made  a  publick  confession  &c.  Benjamin  ye 
son  of  Sam11.  Graham  and  Ruth  ye  daughter  of  Daniel  Spencer 
were  baptized 

—  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  rom.  13.  14.     P.M.  indis- 

posed    went  not  out. 

—  ii.     This  day  reading  ye  September  testimony3 

—  15.     Lords  day  preached  A:M.  from  rom.  13.  14.  and  P:M.  from 

Matt.  9.  2. 

—  16.     This  day  some  study,     at  night  reckoned  with  ye  Commtee 


1  A  nte,  p.  60,  note. 

a  The  Association's  Testimony  against  Whitefield,  mentioned  ante,  p.  120. 


128  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1746 

—  22.     Lords  day  preached  A:M.  from  Matt.  9.  2.  &  P.M.  from 

Col.  3.  5.     Joseph   Wadsvvorth   Junr.   and   his   wife   owned   ye 
Covenant 

—  23.     .     .     .     news  of  a  great  number  of  Indians  near  ye  upper 

Towns 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  heb.  2.  14.  15. 

January  [1746.] 

Jany   2.     ...     in   ye  afternoon   Lecture   at  ye  South    Meeting 
house     Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  Matt.  20.  28. 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  rom.  6.  21.     I  pray 

God  to  bless  his  word     .     .     . 

—  12.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Col.  i.  10.     .     .     . 

ye  pretenders  cause1  earnestly  prayed  against 

—  17.     This  day     .     .     .     reading   [illegible]    History  of  ye   re- 

bellion 
-  19.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  90.  12.     .     .     . 

—  20.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge  and  Mr.  Colton 

—  26.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  20.  4 

—  28.  This  day  went  to  Farmington  and  returned. 

—  30.  in  ye  afternoon  lecture     I  preached  from  i.  Cor.  n.  26. 

—  31.  This  day  in  study         I*.  Field  here 

February  begins 

Feby.  2.     Lords  day  I  preached    .     .     .    and  adminstred  ye  Sacra- 
ment. 

—  4.     This  day  went  to  ye  association  at  Windsor 

—  5.     This  day  lecture  at  Mr.  Marsh  at  Windsor         I  preached 

from  i  Joh.  3.  9.  &  returned  home 

—  9.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  luk.  18.  3  and  bap- 

tized Neil  ye  son  of  Doctr.   McLean  and  Timothy  ye  son   of 
Joseph  Wadsworth 

—  12.     This  day  went  to  ye  west  division     nil  remarkable  occurs 

read  y*  ye  pretender  was  taken 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  2.  Cor.  6.  2.     I  pray 

God  to  bless     .     .     . 

—  18.     This  day  visited  Mr.  Woodbridge 

—  19.     This  day     ...     nil  remarkable  occurs,  save  y4  Thomas 

Croswell  died  very  suddenly  in  ye  evening 


1  Prince  Charles  Edward,  grandson  of  James  II,  had  just  landed  in  Scotland,  gained  a  vic- 
tory at  Preston  Pans,  reduced  Carlisle,  and  advanced  into  England.  On  the  following  i6th  of 
April  he  was  defeated  at  Culloden  and  the  Stuart  cause  finally  lost. 


1746]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  129 

—  22.     .     .     .     ye  news  of  the  defeat  of  ye  pretenders  army  con- 

firmed 

—  23.     Lords  day  preached  A:M:  from  Eccl.  9.  12.  and  P.M.  from 

2.  Cor.  4.  1 8 

—  25.     This  day  went  to  New-Haven         severe  cold 

—  26.     This  day  spent  at  N-Haven 

—  27.     This  day  as  ye  former 

—  28.     This  day  returned   home,  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo 

March  begins 

Mch.  2.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M  from  2  cor.  4.  18  and  P:M: 
from  Col.  i.  13.     I  pray  God  to  bless  his  word 

—  4.     This  day  study  &°  prayed  at  Court,  ye  Superior  Court  opened 

in  this  Town 

—  9.     Lords  day  preached  A.M  from  Eph.  6.  n.  &  p.m.  from  Col. 

3-  16. 

—  ii.     This  day  spent  at  Court      ...      at  night  died  Ensign 

Nathaniel  Goodwin  a  good  old  man  and  full  of  daies 

—  13.     This  day     .     .     .     Ensign  Nathaniel  Goodwin  Interred,  a 

good  old  man,  full  of  daies,  aged  about  78  or  79. 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  psal.  73.  26.     I  pray 

God     .     .     .     pardon  what  has  been  amiss  in  me. 

—  19.     This  day     .     .     .     reading  Walls  history  of  Infant  Baptism 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Daniel  ye  son 

of  Mr.  Daniel  Edwards 

—  24.     This  day  went   to  Farmington,  Saw  my  friends  in  usual 

health.     Laus  Deo 

—  25.     This  day  returned  home,  found  my  family  well,  Laus  Deo 

—  29.     This  day  in  study,  Mr.  President  Clap  here 

—  30.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  Elizabeth  ye 

daughter  of  John  Sheldon. 

April  begins 

Apl.  2.     This  day  went  to  Weathersfield,  Study  &°.     Mr.  Clap  went 
from  hence 

—  3.     This  day    .    .    .    in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture  Mr.  M°.Clenachan l 

preached  from  Amos  4.  n. 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  phil.  3.  8  and  admin- 

istred  ye  Sacrament     .     .     . 

—  7.     This  day  freemans  meeting.      Mr.   Colton  preached  from 

Isai.  i:  26.     Mr.  Buckingham  and  Mr.  Joseph  Talcot  chosen 
Deputies 


1  Probably  some  friend  of  the  Scotch  brothers  Morison,  particularly  it  may  be  of  Rev.  Evan- 

der.     The  name  has  been  vainly  sought  in  the  usual  finding-places  of  ministers  of  the  period. 

• 
17 


130  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1746 

—  9.     This  day  publick  fast.     I   preached  A:M.  from  lev.  26.  3.  6. 

&  Mr.  Whitman  P.M.  from  Joshua  24.  20. 

—  ir.     This  day     .     .     .     Samuel  Benton  Interred 

—  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  i  Cor.  i.  18     And 

baptized  Thankfull  ye  daughter  of  Nehemiah  Cadwell 

—  14.  This  day  went  to  Durham 

—  15.  This  day  went  to  New=Haven 

—  1 6.  This  day  ye  Corporation  met         Came  into  various  acts 

—  17.  This  day  returned  to  Durham 

—  18.  This  day  returned  home,  found  my  family  well.     Laus  Deo. 

—  20.  Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     . 

—  21.  This  day  visiting  &c.     Comes  news  from  Louisburg  of  ye 

death  of  Lieut"'.  Ashley '  and  others  of  this  Town. 

—  25.     .     .     .     News  of  ye  destruction  of  Ashuelot  by  the  Indians 

but  wants  confirmation 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr  totum  from  Eccles.  7:   14.  and 

baptized  Thomas  and  Joseph  sons  of  Joseph  Wadsworth  Junr. 
and  Elisha  ye  son  of  Elisha  Pratt. 

May  begins 

May  4.     Lords  day  preached     .      .      .     and  administred  ye  Sacra- 
ment    .     .     .     rainy  day 

—  8.     This   day  Gen".  Election.     Mr.  S:  Hall8  preached    from  2 

chron.  19.  5.  6.     Govern1".  Dep:  Govern'.  &  Assistants  as  in  ye 
year  past.     Saving  Col:  Whiting  left  out  and  Col.  Burr  put  in 

—  ii.     Lords  day  Mr.  Hall  preached  for  me. 

—  1 8.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     . 

—  19.     This  day  and  yesterday  marched  forth   300  men   for  ye 

defence  of  our  frontiers,  nil  remarkable 

—  22.     .      .      .      ye  soldiers   that   went   to   ye   western    frontiers 

returned  without  discovering  any  enemy3 


3  Ezekiel  Ashley,  commissioned  at  the  May  session  of  the  Assembly,  1745,  as  "  Lieutenant  of 
one  of  the  companies  .  .  .  for  the  expedition  against  Cape  Breton."  Before  leaving  Hartford 
Ashley  made  a  will,  dated  June  28,  1745,  in  which  he  leaves  his  property  to  his  "  loving  wife 
Hannah,"  charging  her  with  some  small  bestowments  upon  his  son  Ezekiel,  and  his  two  daughters, 
Hannah  and  Griffith,  when  they  come  to  be  of  age. 

z  Rev.  Samuel  Hall  of  New  Cheshire  (afterward  Cheshire),  born  at  Wallingford,  Oct.  5,  1695; 
grad.  Y.  C.  1716  ;  ordained  at  December  9,  1724  ;  died  in  office  February  26,  1776.  He  preached 
the  Election  Sermon  (as  recorded  above)  May  8,  1746,  and  was  a  vigorous  Old  Light  in  current 
controversies. 

3  The  General  Assembly  "for  the  encouragement"  of  those  engaged  in  this  border  defence 
enacted  at  this  session  that  "  all  such  officers  and  souldiers  as  shall  provide  themselves  with  arms, 
ammunition,  provisions  and  other  necessaries,  shall  have  as  a  reward  for  every  male  prisoner  of  the 
Indian  enemy  sixteen  years  old  and  upward  the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds  bills  of  credit  old 
tenor,  and  for  every  scalp  of  such  Indian  16  year  old  and  upward,  half  so  much  ;  and  for  every 
female  prisoner  or  children  under  the  age  of  sixteen  years  of  such  Indians  the  sum  of  one  hundred 


1746]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  131 

—  25.     Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     .     and  baptized  James  ye  son 

of  James  Shepard. 

-  26.     This  day  Jonathan  Skinner  was  killed  in  an  Instant  by  ye 

accidental  firing  of  a  great  Gun  and  John  Bunce  and  Benjamin 
Gardner  grievously  wounded. 

—  27.     This  day     .     .     .     Jonathan  Skinner  Interred 

-  29.     This  day  study,  lecture  in  ye  afternoon 

—  31.     This  day  in  study.     ye  General  assembly  Adjourned 

June  begins 

June  i.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Eccl.  7.  2.  &  bap- 
tized Sarah  the  daughter  of  William  Tyley  &  Abigail  ye  daugh- 
ter of  Stephen  Turn'er 

—  3.     This  day  Association  met  at  Mr.  Whitmans.1 

—  4.     This  day  lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting.     Mr.  Whitman 

of  Farmington  preached  from  2  Cor.  i.  2. 

This  morning  about  8  o'clock  was  heard  a  loud  rumbling  noise 
something  like  thunder,  some  tho't  it  an  earthquake,  to  ye 
southeast  but  wee  since  hear  that  in  divers  places  was  seen  a 
Large  Ball  of  fire  moving  south  eastward,  and  was  seen  to 
break,  which  was  presently  followed  with  ye  noise  above 
mentioned 

-  8.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from   Eph.  6.  4.  &  P.M.  from 

Matt.  24.  12.     .     .     . 


and  fifty  pounds  like  bills,  and  for  every  scalp  of  such  enemy  Indian  female  or  children  of  such 
Indians  half  so  much,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury  of  this  Colony,  on  an  order  drawn  by  said 
Committee  [of  War],  on  the  producing  to  them  of  such  prisoners  or  scalps." 

It  is  gratifying  to  notice  even  so  much  delicacy  on  the  Assembly's  part  respecting  the  above 
atrocious  order,  that  the  "entry  on  the  publick  records"  of  all  votes  "passed  by  this  Assembly  for 
the  encouragement  of  obtaining  Indian  enemy  prisoners  or  their  scalps,"  was  suppressed  till  further 
order. 

1  This  meeting  of  the  Association  was  mainly  concerned  about  the  question  of  the  expediency 
of  settling  Rev.  David  S.  Rowland  in  the  Northwest  Society  of  Simsbury  (now  Granby).  Mr.  Row- 
land was  born  in  Fairfield  in  1719  ;  grad.  Y.  C.  1743,  and  after  very  brief  preparation  was  licensed 
to  preach,  in  August,  1744,  by  the  "New  Light"  Fairfield  Association.  By  February,  1745,  he  was 
preaching  at  the  Symsbury  Northwest  Society  ;  but  his  settlement  was  delayed  by  advice  of  the 
Hartford  Association  given  in  October  of  that  year.  At  this  June  meeting  the  Association 
appointed  a  committee,  of  which  Mr.  Whitman  of  Farmington  and  Mr.  Whitman  of  Hartford  and 
Mr.  Wadsworth  were  members  to  "see  to  it,"  as  preliminary  to  any  consent  to  his  ordination,  that 
Mr.  Rowland  "approve  and  submit  to  the  Ecclesiastical  Constitution  established  in  the  churches  of 
Connecticut,"  as,  also,  that  "the  said  Rowland  will  not  Countenance  and  encourage  Mr.  White- 
field  by  inviting  him  to  preach  or  attending  his  administrations  or  on  any  other  Itinerant  Preachers, 
or  any  other  of  the  errors,  seperations  or  disorders  prevailing  in  y°  County. "  As  a  result  of  this 
action  Mr.  Rowland's  ordination  at  Simsbury  failed  to  take  place,  though  he  continued  to  preach 
there  until  August,  1747.  He  was  subsequently  some  years  at  Plainfield,  where  he  was  ordained, 
and  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  both  of  which  places  he  had  an  unquiet  career,  but  was  finally  installed 
at  Windsor  (First  Church)  March  27,  1776,  where  he  died  Jan.  13,  1794.  He  published  several 
sermons,  some  of  which  were  plainly  occasioned  by  episodes  of  his  rather  chequered  ecclesiastical 
experiences. 


132  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY 

—  9.  This  day  .  .  .  in  ye  morning  died  the  Reva.  Mr.  Samuel 
Woodbridge  Pastor  of  ye  Church  on  ye  East  Side  of  ye  River  in 
this  Town.1 

—  10.     This  day  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Samuel  Woodbridge  was  Interred. 

The  Revd.  Mr.  Ashbel   Woodbridge  preached  a  Sermon  on  yl 
occasion  from  phil.  i.  23. 
-ii.     .     .     .     Doctr.  Chauncey  &  Mr.  Tailor2  here 

—  15.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Joh.  11:  n  &  P.M.  from 

Matt.  24.  12.  and  catechised  ye  children 

-  19.     This  day     .     .     .     ye  Gen1.  Assembly  met  at  New  Haven 

—  22.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Matt.  24.  12  &  P.M.  from 

Eph.  2.  4.   5.  and   baptized    Rebecca  ye   daughter   of   Elijah 
Cadwell 

—  24.     This  day  went  to  ye  West  Division  upon  a  certain  affair, 

returned  re  Infecta 

—  26.     This  day     ...     at  Deacn.  Sheldon  wedding,     at  night 

married  Moses  Dickinson  &  Elizabeth  Pratt. 

—  29.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:  M:  from  Eph.  2.  4.  5.  &  P.M.:  from 

gen.  i.  26. 

July  i.     This  morning  about   break   o'  day  my    wife  was  safely 
delivered  of  a  daughter.3     Laus  Deo. 

—  3.     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  a  Lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting 

he  preached  from  Joh.  20.  31. 

—  4.     .     .     .     nil  remarkable  domestick,  from  abroad  wee  hear  y* 

y*  rebels  are  totally  defeated 

—  6.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Joh.  17.  24.  and  adminis- 

tred  ye  Sacrament,  and  P.M.  from  Jer.  3.  12  and  baptized  my 
daughter  Ruth 

—  10.     This  day  went  to  Glastenbury  on  a  visit   to  Mr.  Wood- 

bridge4  who  is   going  chaplain  in  ye  Army  to  Canada  wm  God 
prosper 

-  13.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Jer.  3.  12.  &  P.M.  from 

psal.  31.  19.     ... 

—  15.     This  day    .     .     .    was  Interred  on  Sowerhill  a  soldier  from 

Cape  Breton  and  his  wife 

—  17.     .     .     .     the  defeat  of  the  Rebels  farther  Confirmed 


1  A  nte,  pp.  14,  85,  and  notes. 

2  Probably  Rev.  John  Taylor,  born  at  Boston  ;  grad.  H.  C.  1721 ;  ordained  at  Milton,  Mass., 
Nov.  13,  1728;  died  Jan.  26,  1750,  aged  forty-six. 

3  Ruth,  who  lived  only  four  years,  dying  Dec.  27,  1750. 

4  A  nte,  p.  25,  note.     As  events  turned  Mr.  Woodbridge  did  not  go  to  Canada,  and  the  regi- 
ment was  disbanded  in  October  following  the  present  date. 


1746]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  133 

—  20.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  psal.  31.  19  &  P.M:  from 

luk.  12.  15. 

—  21.     This  day  study,  news  y*  ye  fleet  for  Canada  is  not  likely  to 

come  this  year 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  heb.  3.  7.  8.     .     .     . 

—  31.     This  day     .     .     .     in  ye  afternoon  a  lecture     Mr.  Williams 

preached  from  Joh.  15.  12. 

August  begins 
Aug.  3.     Lords  day  I  preached  from  act.  2.  36  pr.  totum 

—  8.     This  day  in  study  orders  come  for  ye  marching  troops  to  N. 

London 

—  10.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  heb.  12.  u  and  P.M.  from 

psal.  97.  i.  and  baptized  Huldah  ye  daughter  of  John   Shepard 

—  12.     This  day  prayed  with  ye  soldiers  that  marched  from  here 

toward  New-London  going  on  ye  expedition  ag*  Canada         I 
pray  God  to  go  with  &  prosper  them. 

—  15.     This  day  accompanied  Col.  Talcot,  L*  Biggelow  &  Docf. 

Morison  part  of  ye  way  on  yr  Journey  to  N.  London  ' 

—  16.     This  day  Study,  went  over  ye  river 

—  17.     Lords  day  preached  on  ye  East  side  A:  M:  from  phil.  4.  20. 

and  P.M.  from  psal.  97.  i. 

—  20.     This  day  went  to  Farmington     .     .     .     returned  found  my 

family  well  Laus  Deo 

—  24.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M  from  [illegible]  12.  n  and  P.M. 

from  act.  2.  36.  in  ye  afternoon  a  thunder  storm 

—  25.     This  day  went  to  Norwich 

—  26.     This  day  went  to  N.  London 

—  27.     This  day  back  to  Norwich 

—  29.     This  day  returned  home     found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo. 

—  31.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  phil.  3.  13.  14.     rainy 

weather 

September  — 
Sept.  i.     This  day  went  to  Durham 

—  2.     This  day  went  to  New-Haven 

—  3.     This  day  Commencement  at  N:  Haven. 


1  At  the  June  session  of  the  General  Assembly  it  had  been  resolved  to  raise  "  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible in  this  Colony  the  number  of  one  thousand  able  bodied  effective  men,"  to  be  "  imployed  in  his 
Majestie's  service  for  the  reduction  of  Canada."  Samuel  Talcott  had  been  designated  as  Lt.- 
Colonel ;  Timothy  Bigelow  "  Second  lieutenant  of  the  Colonel's  Company";  and  Dr.  Normand 
Morrison  as  "  Chief  Physician  and  Chirurgeon."  Thirty  pounds  bounty  was  offered  to  every  soldier 
enlisting  ;  and  impressment  into  service  could  be  resorted  to  if  enlistment  failed.  These  prepara- 
tions were,  however,  rendered  nugatory  by  events  quite  outside  of  Colonial  influence,  and  the  regi- 
ment did  not  leave  the  soil  of  the  Commonwealth. 


i34  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  [1746 

—  4.  This  day  returned  to  Wallingford 

—  5.  This  day  returned  Home  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo. 

—  7.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  act.  13.  47 

—  9.  This  day  some  study.     Presdt.  Clap  here  at  night 

—  ii.     This  day  went  to  Farmington       returned  found  my  family 

well  Laus  Deo 

—  12.     .     .     .     Laboured  under  indisposition 

-  14.  Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Col.  i.  21.     .     .     . 
pardon  whatsoever  thou  has  seen  amiss  in  me 

—  17.  This  day  some  study,  wrote  my  will,1  visited  a  prisoner 

—  1 8.  This  day     .     .     .     attended  ye  funeral  of  widow  Webster 

—  21.  Lords  day  I  preached     .     .     . 

—  23.  This  day  went  to  Windsor  on  a  visit 

—  28.  Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  50.  n. 

—  29.  .     .     .     ye  talk  of  a  french  fleet  alarms  ye  country 

October  begins 

Oct.  2.     This  day  in  Study,     in  ye  afternoon  preached  a  lecture 
previous  to  ye  Sacrament2  from  rom.  10.  4 

—  5.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  psal.  73.  33  and  ad- 

ministred  ye  Sacrament,  and  baptized  Elizabeth  ye  daughter 
of  Colonel  Talcot. 

—  7.     This  day  went  to  ye  Association  at  Harvvinton 

—  8.     This  day  association  Lecture  at  Harwinton,  lecture  preached 

by  Mr.  Gid.  Mills  from  Matt.  11.  28.     Came  to  Farmington. 

—  9.     This  day  returned  Home     found  my  family  well. 

—  12.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  Jam.  5.  19.  20.  and 

baptized  Sarah  ye  daughter  of  Dan11.  Goodwin  and  Dorcas  ye 
daughter  of  Samuel  Andrus 

—  15.     This  day  visiting     Last  night  died  Dorothy  ye  wife  of  Lt. 

Daniel  Goodwin  and  this  day  Died  Noadiah  Phelps  a  stranger 
in  Town 

—  19.     Lords  day  preached  per  totum  from  Job  2:  10  and  baptized 

James  ye  son  of  Diostheus  Humphrys 


1  This  will  was  apparently  executed  Dec.  19  following.  Mr.  Wadsworth  added  a  codicil,  in 
a  noticably  feebler  hand,  on  October  3d  of  the  subsequent  year,  1747,  giving  his  wife,  in  addition  to 
former  provision  made  for  her,  a  certain  piece  of  land  in  Farmington. 

The  inventory  of  his  property,  as  proved  after  his  decease,  showed  real  estate  in  Hartford  to 
the  amount  of  .£3,450;  and  in  Farmington  of  ,£1,117.  A  list  of  his  Library  may  be  found  in 
Walker's  History  of  the  First  Church  of  Hartford.  It  may  be  interesting  to  note  that  there 
are  specified  as  items  of  his  personalty  also,  "  i  Black  cow,  i  Red  Cow,  i  Brindle  white-face,  21 
Sheep,  i  old  negro  woman  nam'd  Rose,  6  Loads  of  Hay,  one  Hive  bees." 

3  This  is  the  first  indication  in  the  First  Church  history  of  what  has  in  modern  times  been 
familiarly  known  as  the  Preparatory  Lecture.  Such  a  lecture  seems  to  have  been  established  some 
time  before  in  several  Boston  churches  ;  the  first  one  being  March  4,  1720,  by  the  cooperate  action 
of  the  First  and  the  Brattle  Street  churches,  then  respectively  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Foxcroft  and  Rev.  Benjamin  Colman. 


WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  135 

—  22.     This  day     .     .     .     Mr.  Eliot  here 

—  26.     Lords  day  preached      .      .      .      and  baptized   Huldah  ye 

daughter  of  Daniel  Brace 

—  30.     This  day  study,     lecture  in  y*  afternoon  at  Mr.  Whitmans 

meeting     Mr.  Whitman  preached  from  psal.  119.  34 

Nov.  1746 
Nov.  2.     Lords  day  preached  A:M.  Joh.  3.  17.  P.M.  rom.  2.  4. 

—  5.     This  day  publick  thanksgiving     preached  from  Isai.  25.  i. 

—  8.     This  day     .     .     .     received  a  letter  from  Thomas  Wads- 

worth  of  Longbuckby  in  England 

—  9.     Lords  day  preached  A:M:  from  Isai.  65.  12.  and  P.M:  from 

Job  21.  14 

—  n.     This  day  went  to  Farmington     Saw  my  friends  in  usual 

health,     returned  found  my  family  well  Laus  Deo 

—  12.     .     .     .     Mr.  John  Ellery  who  died  ye  10  Instant,  was  In- 

terred 

—  16.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  Joh.  9.  4.  &  P.M.  from 

rom.  12.  i.  I  pray  god  to  make  his  word  beneficial  to  ym  y' 
heard  it 

—  23.     Lords  day  I  preached  per  totum  from  Eph.  5.  8  and  Mary 

Skinner  was  admitted  to  Communion  with  ye  Church 

—  25.     .     .     .     Mr.  Hez.  Ripley  &  Mary  Skinner  married. 

—  26.     This  day  without  study,  rainy  weather,  no  study 

—  27.     This  day  writing  &c.     nil  remarkable  occurs 

—  30.     Lords  day  preached  A.M:  from  2  pet.  3.  3.  4.  and  P.M.  from 

Col.  3.  6. 

December  begins 
Dec.  4.     This     ]     .     .     P.M.  preached  a  Lecture  from  rev.  i.  5. 

—  7.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M.  from  Isai.  53.  5.  and  adminis- 

tred  ye  Sacrament  and  P.M.  from  Eccles.  i.  2.  baptized  Abi- 
gail ye  daughter  of  Jos:  Shepard  JunV 

—  8.     This  day    ...     at  night  reckoned  with  ye  Society  comtte. 

—  14.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Eccles.  i.  2.  and  P.M. 

from  Ezek.  22.  19. 

—  19.     This  day  in  ye  forenoon  I  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  faint- 

ing or  epileptick  fit,  ye  formr.  I  suppose,  but  thro'  gods  great 
goodness  I  am  recovered,  praised  be  his  name  for  it.  may  I 
live  to  his  praise 

—  20.     This  day  kept  house. 


1  The  baptism  of  this  child  is  the  last  act  of  Mr.  Wadsworth  recorded  by  him  on  his 
Official  Church-Book.  It  is  apparent  from  his  handwriting  in  this  Diary,  as  well  as  from  more 
formal  expressions,  that  he  had  been  gradually  growing  feebler  in  health. 


136  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  D747 

—  21.     Lords  day,  I  went  not  out  by  reason  of  my  indisposition 

—  23.     This  day  reading,      our  Society  at  ye  meeting  voted  me 

^340.  salary. 

—  27.     Lords  day  I  preached  A:M:  from  Lam.  3.  22   and   P.M. 

from  Ezek.  22.  14. 

January  begins  [1747.] 

Jany.  i.     This  day  a  lecture  at  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting.     Mr.  Will™' 
preached  from  prov.  13.  13. 

—  2.     This  day  study,     snowed 

—  3.     This  day  in  Study,      pray  God  I  may  be  prepared  for  ye 

duties  of  ye  approaching  Sabbath 

—  4.     Lords  day  I  preached  pr.  totum  from  rom.  6.  n. 

This  day  went  to  Weathersfield  over  ye  river  &c. 
This  day  indisposed,     took  physick 
This  day  spent  in  visiting 
This  day  in  Study  &c. 

—  9.     This  day  Recd.  a  Paquet  from  Doctr.  Doddridge  with  some 

pamphlets 

—  10.     This  day  in  Study         nil  remarkable  occurs 

—  ii.     Lords  day  I  preached  A.M.  from  Eph.  5.  i.  and  P.M.  from 

luk.  4.  36 

—  12.     This  day  in  studying,  visiting  &c. 

—  14.     This  day  held  a  fast  at  Mr.  Williamsons  to  pray  for  his 

wife  that  has  been  a  Long  time  in  a  distressed  Condition, 
Mr.  Colton  preached  from  psal.  37.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7. 

—  15.     This  day  went  to  Farmington.     Saw  my  friends  in  usual 

health         returned  in  safety,  Laus  Deo. 

—  16.     This  day  indisposed 

—  17.     This  day  had  an  epileptick  fit  in  ye  morning,  but  thro'  gods 

goodness  was  carried  thro' 

—  1 8.     Lords   day   I   went   not   out   by   reason   of   indisposition 

both  Societies  met  at  y"  South  meeting  house 

—  19.  This  day  visiting  and  being  visited 

—  20.  This  day  incapable  of  study 

—  21.  This  day  under  indisposition 

—  22.  As  before 

—  23.  As  before 

—  24.  Advised  by  a  physician  not  to  preach  tomorrow 

—  25.  Lords  day  went  not  out  in  the  forenoon     in  ye  afternoon 

went  to  Mr.  Whitmans  meeting     he  preached  from  luk.  10.  42 


1747]  WADSWORTH'S  DIARY  137 

—  26.  went  to  Stepney     returned  late1 

—  27.  This  day  at  home 

—  28.  This  day  as  y*  former 

—  29.  This  as  before 

—  30.  and  this  in  like  manner 

—  31.  This  day  visiting  and  receiving  visits 

February  begins 

Feby.  i.     Lords  day  went  to  meeting  in  ye  afternoon     Mr.  Whit- 
man preached  from  Zech.  9.  10. 

—  2.  3.  4.     Monday,  Tuesday,  Wednesday  spent  chiefly  in  giving 

and  receiving  visits  and  preparing  for  my  Intended  voyage 
unto  y"  West  Indies 

—  5.     This  day  went  to  Farmington.     Saw  my  friends  in  usual 

health,  returrfed  safely,  Laus  Deo 


My  indisposition  incapacitated  me  about  this  time  to  keep  a 
Diary.     I  therefore  now  enter  only  some  remarkables 

On  ye  ioth  of  Feb.  I  had  a  small  touch  of  an  Epileptick  fit  wc. 
lasted  but  a  minute  or  two  and  did  not  deprive  me  of  my  reason 

On  ye  1 6th  instant  another  small  touch  of  a  fit 


The  above  is  the  last  entry  made  by  Mr.  Wadsworth  in  his 
diary.  Whether  he  carried  out  his  intention  to  take  a  sea  voyage 
cannot,  perhaps,  positively  be  stated,  but  it  seems  altogether  im- 
probable. On  March  2d,  and  on  August  4th,  votes  indicative  of 
the  pastor's  continued  "indisposition"  are  recorded  in  the  Society's 
minutes;  and  on  the  second  of  those  occasions  a  committee  was 
instructed  "  to  apply  themselves  to  Mr.  Edward  Dorr  to  Continue 
to  Administer  to  this  Society  during  Mr.  Wadsworths  Incapacity, 
and  as  need  shall  require." 

Mr.  Wadsworth  survived  till  November  12,  1747,  lacking  two 
days  of  forty-three  years  of  age,  and  having  filled  a  pastoral  term 
of  fifteen  years  and  two  months. 


1  A  meeting  of  the  First  Ecclesiastical  Society  of  this  date,  Jan.  26,  took  action  for  the  secur- 
ing a  minister  "  during  Mr.  Wadsworth's  absence  provided  he  go  to  Sea  for  his  health." 


18 


INDEX. 


Aaron,  Lieutenant,  64. 
Abbe,  Thomas,  35. 
Adams,  Rev.  Eliphalet,  85. 
Adams,  Joseph,  108. 
Adams,  William,  86. 

Adams,  ,  12. 

Alcot,  George,  66,  92. 

Alcot,  George,  Jr.,  92. 

Alcot,  John,  76. 

Alcot,  Jonathan,  32. 

Alcot,  Joseph,  76. 

Alcot,  Sarah,  32. 

Aldridge,  Edward,  91. 

Allen,  Rev.  James,  40. 

Allen,  Jeremiah,  40. 

Allyn,  Mr.,  116. 

Andrews,  Elijah,  9,  89. 

Andrews,  Jerusha,  82. 

Andrews,  John,  62. 

Andrews,  Rebecca,  124. 

Andrews,  Rev.  Samuel,  19. 

Andrews,  Samuel,  62,  89,  124. 

Andrews,  Thomas,  101. 

Andrews,  Thomas,  Jr.,  101,  102. 

Andrews,  Thomas,  3d,  101. 

Andrus,  Dorcas,  134. 

Andrus,  James,  107. 

Andrus,  Nathaniel,  122. 

Andrus,  Samuel,  107,  134. 

Andrus,  Widow,  125. 

Ashley,  Abigail,  32. 

Ashley,  Lieutenant  Ezekiel,  130. 

Ashley,  Griffith,  130. 

Ashley,  Hannah,  130. 

Ashley,  Jonathan,  130. 

Ashley,  Mary,  112. 

Ashuelot  reported  destroyed,  130. 

Association,  at  Farmington,  66;  at  East 

Hartford,  70;  at  Windsor,  73,  120. 
Association,  General,  85. 
Atwood,  Jedidiah,  126. 
Austin,  John,  45,  104. 


Austin,  Mary,  II. 

Austin,  Mr.,  87. 

Awakening,  The,  resolves  about,  66;  re- 
solves at  East  Hartford,  70;  degener- 
ating into  strife,  71,  72,  87;  resolves 
at  New  London,  85. 

Backus,  Rev.  Simon,  36,  61. 

Badger,  Daniel,  Jr.,  67,  96. 

Badger,  Daniel,  3d,  67. 

Badger,  Mary,  96. 

Baptisms  since  ordination,  32. 

Barber,  Rev.  Jonathan,  21,  70. 

Barnard,  Benjamin,  66. 

Barnard,  Joseph,  37,  51,  54. 

Barnard,  Moses,  120. 

Barnard,  Rebecca,  64,  in. 

Barnett,  John,  23. 

Bartholomew,  Rev.  Andrew,   notice  of, 

28;  ordained,  30;   105,  120. 
Bartlett,  Rev.  Moses,  36. 
Bartlett,  Robert,  28. 
Beauchamp,  John,  57. 
Beauchamp,  Susannah-  75. 
Belden,  Rev.  Joshua,  126. 
Belding,  Ebenezer,  35. 
Bell,  Church,  n,  31. 
Bellamy,  Rev.  Joseph,  67,  72,  81,  112. 
Benton,  Abigail,  62. 
Benton,  Samuel,  130. 
Bicknel,  James,  57,  76,  77,  97. 
Bicknel,  Jerusha,  97. 
Bicknel,  Moses,  76,  77. 
Bicknel,  Mr.,  74. 
Bidwell,  Rev.  Adonijah,  105. 
Bidwell,  John,  85. 
Bidwell,  Matthew,  67. 
Bidwell,  Roger,  97. 
Bidwell,  Sarah,  49. 
Biggelow,  John,  71,  81. 
Biggelow,  James,  123. 
Biggelow,  Mary,  51. 


140 


INDEX 


Biggelow,  Timothy,  71,  81,  92,  123, 133. 
Bissell,  Rev.   Hezekiah,    notice  of,  20; 

31,  34,  36,  48,  66,  69,  71,  102,  116. 
Blin,  Mary,  75. 
Bolton,  Association  at,  25. 
Bostwick,  Rev.  Ephraim,  13. 
Brace,  Ann,  32. 
Brace,  Daniel,  93,  117,  135. 
Brace,  Dorcas,  32. 
Brace,  Frances,  93. 
Brace,  Huldah,  135. 
Brace,  Jemima,  69,  74. 
Brace,  John,  64. 
Brace,  Josiah,  117. 
Brace,  Nathaniel,  64. 
Brace,  Rebecca,  32. 
Brainard,  Rev.  David,  62. 
Brainard,  Rev.  Nehemiah,  40,  62. 
"  Brief"  for  a  Collection,  123. 
Brown,  Daniel,.  35,   36,   38,  39,  43,  44, 

45,  46,  49,  61. 

Brown,  "  Ingenious  Mr.",  65. 
Buckingham,  Joseph,  37,  49,  81,  91,  98, 

104,  in,  122,  129. 
Bulkley,  Colonel  John,  24,  99. 
Bull,  Caleb,  66. 
Bull,  Daniel,  83,  93. 
Bull,  Rev.  Nehemiah,  notice  of,  21;  22, 

26,  43,  49. 

Bunce,  Ann,  drowned,  15. 
Bunce,  Daniel,  57. 
Bunce,  James,  15. 
Bunce,  John,  15,  22,  131. 
Burkitt,  John,  41,  43. 
Burnham,  Ashbel,  23. 
Burnham,  Lois,  90. 
Burnham,  Martha,  69. 
Burnham,  Michael,  23,  90. 
Burnham,  Moses,  127. 
Burnham,  Nathaniel,  127. 
Burnham,  Richard,  49,  117. 
Burnham,  Rev.  William,  29. 
Burr,  Col.  Andrew,  121,  130. 
Burr,  Maj.  John,  8,  25. 
Burr,  Elizabeth,  122. 
Burr,  Rev.   Isaac,  notice  of,  8,  24,  33, 

38,  44,  49,  54,  62,  80,  94,  96. 
Burr,  Moses,  122,  124. 
Burr,  Rebecca,  107. 


Burr,  Samuel,  119. 
Burr,  Thomas,  9. 
Burr,  Thomas,  Jr.,  119. 
Butler,  Anne,  100. 
Butler,  Daniel,  45,  100,  126. 
Butler,  Hannah,  45. 
Butler,  Isaac,  20. 
Butler,  Jonathan,  27,  67. 
Butler,  Mary,  21,  62,  67. 
Butler,  Mr.,  119. 
Butler,  Sarah,  20,  21. 
Butler,  Susannah,  64. 
Butler,  Thankful,  126. 

Cadwell,  Aaron,  23,  49. 

Cadwell,  Abraham,  77,  IO2,  123. 

Cadwell,  Catherine,  23. 

Cadwell,  Christian,  102. 

Cadwell,  Edward,  Jr.,   53,   54,  66,  67, 

95,    122. 

Cadwell,  Elijah,  107,  119,  132. 
Cadwell,  Elijah,  Jr.,  119. 
Cadwell,  Hannah,  28. 
Cadwell,  Lois,  124. 
Cadwell,  Mabel,  123. 
Cadwell,  Moses,  20,  102,  124. 
Cadwell,  Nehemiah,  28,  107,  130. 
Cadwell,  Olive,  101. 
Cadwell,  Penelope,  20. 
Cadwell,  Rebecca,  132. 
Cadwell,  Ruth,  53,  122. 
Cadwell,  Sarah,  77. 
Cadwell,  Susannah,  107. 
Cadwell,  Thankful,  130. 
Caldwell,  Rev.  John,  80,  92. 
Caldwell,  Hannah,  14. 
Cambridge  Platform,  39. 
Campbell,  Rev.  James,  42,  83. 
Canaan,  Contribution  for,  in. 
Canada  Expedition,  132,  133. 
Cape  Breton,  121,   122,    123,    124,   125, 

132. 

Caroline,  Queen,  21,  22,  23. 
Carpenter,  Rev.  Ezra,  116. 
Carthagena,  Siege  of,  65,  66,  68. 
Cathcart,  Lord,  49,  54,  59. 
Catlin,  Abijah,  27,  28. 
Catlin,  Benjamin,  30,  32,  35,  36. 
Catlin,  Daniel,  27,  35. 


INDEX 


Catlin,  Hannah,  17,  30. 

Catlin,  Jonathan,  112. 

Catlin,  Margaret,  30. 

Charles  Edward,  Prince,  127,  128,  129, 

132. 
Chauncey,   Rev.  Charles,  notice  of,  86; 

88,  91,  95,  96,  104,  119,  122,  132. 
Chauncey,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  43. 
Checkley,  Rev.  Samuel,  117. 
Church,  Capt.  James,  121,  125. 
Church,  Mr.,  62,  78,  79. 
Clap,  Rev.  Thomas,   notice  of,  38;  45, 

48,  54,  65,  70,  72,  80,  in,   113,  120, 

122,  124,  126,  127,  129,  134. 
Clap,  Thomas,  114. 
Clark,  Barzillai,  34,  124,  103. 
Clark,  Lt.-Gov.  George,  22. 
Clark,  Isaac,  95,  102,  116,  125. 
Clark,  Isaac,  Jr.,  116. 
Clark,  Ruth,  106,  125. 
Clark,  Samuel,  103. 
Clark,  Sarah,  36. 
Clark,  Timothy,  124. 
Clark,  Widow,  104. 
Cleveland,  Rev.  Aaron,  21. 
Cole,  John,  115. 
Collier,  Daniel,   27. 
Collier,  Hezekiah,  53. 
Collier,  Joseph,  30. 
Collier,  John,  53. 
Collier,  Thankful,  112. 
Colman,  Rev.  Benjamin,  notice  of,   19; 

37,  55,  "4,  134- 

Collins,  Rev.  Timothy,  notice  of,  81;  94, 
105,  108,  112,  118,  120. 

Colton,  Rev.  Benjamin,  5;  preaches 
election  sermon,  8;  notice  of,  8;  13, 
14,  16,  21,  41,  44,  46,  48;  preached 
at  Freeman's  meeting,  49;  51,  58,  64, 
69,  73,  75,  79,  84,  85;  church  troubles, 
90;  94,  96,  98,  100,  101,  103,  104, 
105,  116,  117,  120,  126,  128,  129, 
136. 

Colton,  Rev.  Eli,  19,  86,  117,  120. 

Comets,  80,  109,  no. 

Commencement  at  New  Haven,  29,  42, 
54,  72,  91,  104,  116,  126,  133. 

Committee  to  admit  preachers,  88. 


Connecticut   River,    early  freezing,   93; 

great  flood,  57,  58. 
Consociation,  General,  75,  76. 
Consociation  system,  39. 
"Conventicle"  meetings,  93. 
Cook,  Aaron,  27,  29,   104. 
Cook,  Deborah,  34,  57. 
Cook,  Elizabeth,  85. 
Cook,  Hannah,  27,  29. 
Cook,  Lieut.  John,  26,  49,  104. 
Cook,  John,  28. 
Cook,  Capt.  Joseph,  54. 
Cook,  Moses,  27. 
Croswell,  John,  104. 
Croswell,  Joseph,  79. 
Croswell,  Thomas,  79,  104,  128. 
Curtis,  Rev.  Jeremiah,  31,  96. 

Davenport,  Rev.  James,  21,  63;  notice 
of,  70,  71;  72;  arrested,  83;  sent  out 
of  Colony,  84;  at  Boston,  86;  impris- 
oned at  Boston,  90. 

Day,  Mr.,  119,  126. 

Day,  Widow,  33. 

Day,  William,  33. 

Dexter,  F.  B.,  Yale  Biographies,  8,63. 

Diar,  Elisha,  36. 

Dickinson,  Rev.  Jonathan,  77. 

Dickinson,  Moses,  132. 

Dickinson,  Rev.  Moses,  41. 

Dickinson,  Susannah,  82. 

Diggins,  Joseph,  37,00. 

Dod,  Benjamin,  20. 

Dod,  Dorcas,  17. 

Dod,  Edward,  in,  122. 

Dod,  John,  16,  122. 

Doddridge,  Rev.  Philip,  19,  20,  27,  37, 
4°,  55,  67,  73,  101,  107,  136. 

Dorr,  Rev.  Edward,  137. 

Douse,  Mr.,  38. 

D wight,  Samuel,  39.  « 

Earthquake,  17,  131. 
Easton,  Elias,  17. 
Easton,  John,  17. 
Edwards,  Christian,  107. 
Edwards,  Daniel,  40,  129. 
Edwards,  Daniel,  Jr.,  129. 


142 


INDEX 


Edwards,  Deacon  John,  75,  108. 

Edwards,  Rev.  John,  116. 

Edwards,  Rev.  Jonathan,  14,  55,  notice 
of,  63;  78,  109. 

Edwards,  Richard,  14. 

Edwards,  Samuel,  40. 

Edwards,  Rev.  Thomas,  103. 

Edwards,  Rev.  Timothy,  5;  notice  of, 
14,  15;  16,  29;  church  difficulties,  37, 
39,  50;  Stafford  Council,  51;  at  Po- 
quonock  ordination,  58;  77,  81,  101, 
103,  112. 

Eggleston,  Daniel,  112. 

Eggleston,  Nathaniel,  22. 

Elmer,  Rev.  Daniel,  30. 

Eells,  Rev.  Edward,  29. 

Eells,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  29. 

Eells,  Samuel,  8,  25. 

Eliot,  Rev.  Andrew,  98,  104,  108. 

Eliot,  Rev.  Jared,  notice  of,  39,  40;  pre- 
scribes for  Mr.  Wadsworth,  40;  69, 
85,  92,  104,  135. 

Eliot,  Rev.  John,   18. 

Ellery,  J.,  n. 

Ellery,  John,  135. 

Ensign,  David,  104. 

Ensign,  Isaac,  114. 

Ensign,  Isaiah,  114. 

Ensign,  Moses,  49,  114. 

Ensign,  Samuel,  49. 

Ensign,  Thomas,  Sr.,  18. 

Ensign,  Thomas,  81. 

"Enthusiasm"  deprecated,  49,  86,  88, 
89. 

Estabrook,  Rev.  Hobart,  52,  95. 

Evening  meetings,  59,  60,  61;  statement 
respecting,  66;  86,  90,  93,  95,  96,  97, 
et  seq. 

Evening  Post,  newspaper,  92. 

Farnsworth,  Abigail,  64. 

Farnsworth,  Jerusha,  64,  66. 

Farnsworth,  Joseph,  73,  75. 

Farnsworth,  Dr.  Joseph,  124. 

Farnsworth,  Mary,  18,  34,  73. 

Farmington  and  Wethersfield,  arbitra- 
tions between,  n. 

Fast  Days,  23,  49,  61,  62,  81,  98,  in, 
115,  122,  130,  136. 


Field,  Is.,  128. 

Firmin,  Giles,  69,  109. 

First  Church  Records,  20. 

Fisk,  Rev.  Phineas,  10. 

Fitch,  Dr.  James,  77. 

Fitch,  Thomas,  50. 

Flagg,  Abigail,  22. 

Flagg,  Hannah,  78. 

Flagg,  Jonathan,  125. 

Flagg,  Joseph,  48. 

Flagg,  Mr.,  54. 

Flagg,  Samuel,  22,  78,  104,   125. 

Flagg,  Susannah,  104. 

Fowler,  John,  94. 

Foxcroft,  Rev.  Thomas,  23,  134. 

French  War,  74,  113,  134. 

Freshet,  great,  57,  58. 

Fuller,  Rev.  Daniel,  120. 

Gardner,  Benjamin,  131. 

Gay,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  114. 

Gaylord,  Rev.  William,  52. 

Georgia,  Spanish  attack  on,  89. 

Gilbert,  Joseph,  Jr.,  73. 

Gilbert,  Mercy,  52. 

Gilbert,  Susannah,  52. 

Gilman,  Rebecca,  115. 

Gilman,  Solomon,  115. 

Goodman,  Richard,  62. 

Goodwin,  Abigail,  22. 

Goodwin,  Daniel,   15,  24,  88,  106,  125, 

134- 

Goodwin,  Daniel,  Jr.,  125. 
Goodwin,  Dorothy,  88,  134. 
Goodwin,  Eleazer,  27. 
Goodwin,  Hannah,  27,  28. 
Goodwin,  Lois,  35. 
Goodwin,  Dea.  Nathaniel,  20,  59. 
Goodwin,  Nathaniel,  106. 
Goodwin,  Ensign  Nathaniel,  129. 
Goodwin,  Ozias,  64. 
Goodwin,  Rachel,  18. 
Goodwin,  Widow,  80. 
Goodwin,  William,  38. 
Goshen,  singing  troubles,  92. 
Gorton,  Elder  Stephen,  17. 
Gould,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  68. 
Goss,  Rev.  Mr.,  29. 
Graham,  Abigail,  61. 


INDEX 


Graham,  Benjamin,  127. 
Graham,  Hannah,  96. 
Graham,  Rev.  John,  98. 
Graham,  Samuel,  52,  96,  127. 
Graham,  Simeon,  52. 
Green,  Samuel,  87. 
Griswold,  Moses,  52. 
Griswould,  Mary,  76. 
Gross,  Jonah,  87. 
Gross,  Susannah,  62,  64,  67. 
Guyse,  Rev.  John,  19,  20. 

Hall,  Rev.  David,  8,  114. 

Hall,  Rev.  Samuel,  130. 

Halladay,  Samuel,  31. 

Ham,  Mary,  122. 

Hancock,  Mr.,  104. 

Hamlin,  Mrs.,  53. 

Hart,  Capt.  Josiah,  35. 

Hart,  Lieut.,  35. 

Hart,  Rev.  William,  81. 

Hartland,  Proprietors  of ,  no. 

Harwinton,  Ordination  at,  30. 

Heaton,  Rev.  Stephen,  120. 

Hind,  J.  B.,  109. 

Hinsdel,  Widow,  29. 

Hoadly,  Bishop  Benjamin,  109. 

Hobart,  Rev.  Noah,  notice  of,   31;   39, 

4i,  54,  85. 

Holden,  Gov.  Samuel,  114. 
Holtum,  Joseph,  30. 
Hooker,  Eunice  (Talcott),  17,  27,  43,  89. 
Hooker,  Capt.  Nathaniel,  17,  21,  28,  31, 

32,  43,  86,  121. 
Hooker,  Nathaniel,  Jr.,  17. 
Hooker,  Rev.  Samuel,  17,  20. 
Hooker,  Rev.  Thomas,  12,   17,   19;    his 

Church  Record  book,  20;  69,  101. 
Hooper,  Rev.  William,  23. 
Hopkins,  Abigail,  12,  126. 
Hopkins,  Anna,  30. 
Hopkins,  Jonathan,  30. 
Hopkins,  Mr.,  82,  93. 
Hopkins,  Sarah,  21,  44. 
Hopkins,  Stephen,  64. 
Hopkins,  Thomas,  12,  126. 
Hopkins,  Widow,  125. 
Horton,  Rev.  Azariah,  42. 


Hosmer,  Rev.  Stephen,  notice  of,  8,  29, 

35,  36. 

Hosmer,  Stephen,  8,  26. 
Hosmer,  Susannah,  26. 
Howard,  Samuel,  n. 
Howe,  Rev.  John,  22. 
Howell,  Matthew,  24. 
Hubbard,  Agnes,  20. 
Hubbard,  Jno. ,  20. 
Hudson,  Thomas,  123. 
Hull,  Dr.  Benjamin,  31. 
Humphreys,  Agnes,  105. 
Humphreys,  Anne,  64. 
Humphreys,  Diostheus,  62,  79,  112,  134. 
Humphreys,  Elizabeth,   112. 
Humphreys,  James,  134. 
Humphreys,  Nathaniel,  79. 
Hunn,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  notice  of,  21;  23, 

25,  44,  69,  76,  99,  108,  119,  123. 
Huntington,  Hezekiah,  50,  99. 
Huntting,  Rev.  Jonathan,  97. 
Indian  Alarms,  113,  127,  128,   130. 
Indian  Mission  at  Housatonic,  33. 
Indian  Scalps,  130,  131. 
Indians,  Eastern,  10. 
Indians,  Mohegan,  claims,  16,  17,  24,  25. 
Intemperance,  40,  96. 
Itinerant  preachers,  65,  70,  72,  82;    law 

against,  83;  Association  resolves,   85; 

89,  113,  118. 

Jack,  a  negro,  executed,  106. 
Jail,  The,  89. 
Jones,  John,  31. 
Jones,  Julius,  127. 
Jones,  Levi,  85;  127. 
Jones,  Samuel,  in. 
Jones,  Sarah,  70. 
Judson,  Rev.  David,  99. 

Kate,  a  negro,  sentenced,  104;  executed, 

106. 

Keith,  Marianne,  81. 
Keith,  Susannah,  46. 
Keith,  William,  32,  42,  46,  81,  124. 
Kellogg,  Jacob,  78. 
Kelsey,  Widow,  34. 
Kent,  Rev.  Elisha,  65. 
King,  Parmenas,  62. 
King,  Sarah,  122. 


144 


INDEX 


King,  Thomas,  117. 
Knowles,  Cornelius,  36. 
Knowles,  John,  36,  45. 
Knowles,  Mary,  36. 
Konkapot,  Capt. ,  64. 

Lamb,  Rev.  Joseph,  62. 

Lathrop,  Dr.  Daniel,  118. 

Law,  against  Itinerants,  83,  84. 

Law,  Gov.  Jonathan,  8,  82,  97. 

Lawrence,  John,  94. 

Lawrence,  Marianne,  32. 

Leavenworth,  Rev.  Mark,  36. 

Lee,  James,  74. 

Lee,  Sir  William,   15. 

Lewis,  Elisha,  35, 41,  48,  49,  81,  92,  114, 

115,  117,  124. 
Lewis,  Rev.  Judah,  37. 
Lewiss,  Edmund,  8,  38. 
Litchfield,  Church  troubles,  112. 
Little,  Rev.  Ephraim,  89. 
Lockwood,   Rev.   James,  notice  of,  35; 

40,  53,  62,  78,  79. 
Logan,  James,  78,  106. 
Long  Buckby,  27,  57,  58. 
Lord,  Rev.  Benjamin,  78,  119. 
Lord,  Epaphras,  Jr.,  38. 
Lord,  John,  108. 
Lord,  John  Haynes,  28. 
Lord,  Richard,  57. 
Lord,  Sarah,  108. 
Loree,  Elizabeth,  98. 
Loree,  Thomas,  98. 
Lothrop,  Lieut.-Col.  Simon,  121. 
Louisburgh,  125,  130. 
Love,  Rev.  Christopher,  109. 
Lynde,  Samuel,  8. 

Magazine,  The  American,  107. 

Magazine,  The  Gentleman's,  15. 

Marsh,  Rev.  Cyrus,  93,  98,  118,  120. 

Marsh,  Hezekiah,  107,  116. 

Marsh,  Job,  92. 

Marsh,  Jerusha,  116. 

Marsh,   Capt.  John,  37,  49,  63,  75,  91, 

93,  98,  104,  in,  117. 
Marsh,  Rev.  Jonathan,  Sr. ,  notice  of,  9; 

21,  25,  27,  29,  30,  38;  Son  ordained, 

45;  46,  48,  58;  67,  76,  82,  90,  91,  92, 

106,  119,  128. 


Marsh,  Rev.  Jonathan,  Jr.,  28,  44,  120. 

Marsh,  Nathaniel,  Jr. ,  34. 

Marshall,  Patience,  64,  67. 

Marshall,  Samuel,  16,  118. 

Marshall,  Sarah,  16. 

Marvin,  Mehitable,  32. 

Mason,  John,  16. 

Mason,  Widow,  117. 

Mather,  Rev.  Cotton,  19,  74,  75. 

Mather,  Rev.  Samuel,  80. 

Mayhew,  Rev.  Jonathan,  56. 

McClenachan,  Rev.  Mr.,  129. 

McLean,  Allan,  14,  75,  76,  94. 

McLean,  John,  108. 

McLean,  Dr.  Neil,   14,  76,  108,  128. 

McLean,  Neil,  Jr.,  128. 

McLean,  Susannah,  94. 

McKinstry,  Rev.  John,  93,  120. 

Meacham,  Rev.  Joseph,  63. 

Meeting  House  (of  1638)  taken  down, 
ii ;  old  weather-cock,  12. 

Meeting  House  (of  1739)  begun,  n; 
raising,  13,  14;  spire  raised,  28;  shells 
for  lime,  30;  bell  hung,  31;  dedicated, 

45- 

Merrill,  Deacon,  32. 
Merrill,  Esther,  73. 
Merrill,  Gideon,  51. 
Merrick,  Rev.  Jonathan,  105. 
Merrick,  Rev.  Noah,  88. 
Messenger,  Daniel,  30. 
Middletown,  ordination  at,  29. 
Mills,  Rev.  Gideon,  114;  notice  of,  116; 

119,  134- 

Mills,  Rev.  Jedidiah,  65,  72. 
Ministry,  in  "Contempt,"  55. 
Mix,  Rev.  Stephen,  28,  29,  35. 
Moody,  Rev.  Joseph,  26. 
Moody,  Rev.  Samuel,  26. 
Moravians;  83. 
Morison,  Rev.   Evander,  notice  of,  41; 

42,  43,  46,  47,  50,  52,  57,  60,  66,  70, 

88,  in. 

Morison,  Jennet,  52. 
Morison,  Marion,  22. 
Morison,  Dr.  Normand,  notice  of,  10; 

14,  16,  20,  22,  41,  125,  133. 
Morison,  Roderick,  107. 
Morris,  Colonel,  47. 


INDEX 


Munson,  Amos,  89,  91. 

Negroes,  Lecture  to,  80,  86,  92,  93,  94. 
Newberry,  Capt.  Roger,  53,  60,  69. 
"New     Church,"    popular     name     for 

Second,  9,  10,  n,   13,  15,  18,  27,  29, 

31,  46,  et  seq. 

Newell,  Rev.  Samuel,   60,  80,  118,  127. 
New-Hartford,  ordination,  44,  45. 
News-Letter,  Newspaper,  16. 
Newton,  Sir  Isaac,  114. 
Newton,  Maj.  Israel,  121,  124. 
Newton,  Roger,  8,  83. 
Nichols,  James,  18. 
Nichols,  William,  34. 
Nicholson,  Hannah,  14. 
Nicholson,  Henry,  14,  34,  40. 
Nickols,  Abigail,  122. 
Nickols,  Capt.  Cyprian,  46,  52. 
Nickols,  Cyprian,  76,  125. 
Nickols,  George,  76. 
Nickols,  Mary,  52,  79,  98. 
Nickols,  Sarah,  48,  108. 
Nickols,  William,  79,  98,  122. 
North,  Josiah,  17. 
Nott,  Rev.  Abraham,  24,  52,  78,  81,  83, 

124. 
Noyes,  Rev.  Joseph,  27. 

Olcot,  Hannah,  1 12. 
Olcot,  Jonathan,  112. 
Olcot,  Joseph,  no. 
Olcot,  Nathaniel,  no. 
Owen,  Rev.  John,  100. 

Palmer,  Cotton,  13,  25,  33. 
Parsons,  Rev.  Jonathan,  52. 
Payne,  Rev.  Seth,  51. 
Peck,  Eleazer,  122. 
Peck,  Samuel,  31,  35. 
Pemberton,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  91. 
Pepperell,  Sir  William,  126. 
Perkins,  Rev.  Nathan,  90. 
Phelps,  Noadiah,  134. 
Phelps,  Timothy,  Jr.,  76. 
Phelps,  Widow,  59. 
Pichering's  letters,  92. 
Pierce,  Rev.  James,  36. 
Pierce,  Timothy,  8,  25. 
19 


Pierpont,  Abigail,  27. 

Pierpont,  Mary,  27. 

Pitcher,  Muster-Master,  53. 

Pitkin,  James,  33. 

Pitkin,  Capt.  Joseph,  63,  81. 

Pitkin,  Ozias,  8,  25,  33,  71,  97. 

Pitkin,  Capt.  Thomas,  75. 

Pitkin,  William,  8,  97. 

Pomp,  tried,  121. 

Pomroy,  Rev.  Benjamin,  61,  83,  84. 

Poquonock,  ordination,  58. 

Porto  Bello,  48. 

Potwin,  John,  9. 

Potwin,  Nathaniel,  9. 

Pratt,  Elisha,  27,  28,  53,  99,  130. 

Pratt,  Elisha,  Jr.,  130. 

Pratt,  Elizabeth,  132. 

Pratt,  John,  12. 

Pratt,  John,  Jr.,  9. 

Pratt,  Joseph,  84. 

Pratt,  Levi,  99. 

Pratt,  Mary,  72. 

Pratt,  Rev.  Peter,  47. 

Pratt,  Rebecca,  53,  92. 

Pratt,  William,  84. 

Preparatory  Lecture,  134. 

"  Presbyterians,"  Contribution  for,  39. 

Preston,  Rev.  John,  18. 

Pricilla,  Negro,  no,  in. 

Prisoners  in  Jail,  visited,  89,  102,   103, 

104,  105,  106. 
Prout,  Mr.,  43. 

Punderson,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  41. 
Punderson,  Thomas,  41. 
Pynchon,  George,  49. 

Quincy,  Edmund,  16,  23. 

Raymond,  Joshua,  24. 

Reed,  William,  45. 

Reynolds,  Rev.  Peter,  123. 

Richards,  Abigail,  34. 

Richards,  Amy,  68. 

Richards,  Benjamin,  31,  34,  35,48,  85. 

Richards,  Benjamin,  Jr.,  34,  48. 

Richards,  Jedidiah,  no. 

Richards,  Jemima,  31. 

Richards,  Jonathan,  35,  85. 

Richards,  Mary,  44. 


146 


INDEX 


Richards,  Ruth,  no. 
Richards,  Deacon  Thomas,  20. 
Richardson,  Jonathan,  91. 
Ripley,  Hezekiah,  135. 
Ripenear,  John,  40. 
Robbins,  Rev.  Philemon,  76. 
Robie,  Rev.  James,  So. 
Rockwell,  Rev.  Matthew,  13. 
Rogers,  Rev.  Mr.,  81. 
Root,  Lieut.  Timothy,  124. 
Rowland,  Rev.  David  S.,  131. 
Ruggles,  Rev.  Thomas,  97. 
Russell,  Rev.  Daniel,  35,  40,  45. 
Russell,  Dr.  G.  W.,  10,  31,  40. 
Russell,  Mehitable,  6. 
Russell,  Rev.  Noadiah,  25,  35. 
Russell,  Rev.  William,   25,  27,  29,   35, 

60. 
Rutherford,  Rev.  Samuel,  82,  107. 

Salmon  brook,  Society  troubles,  86. 

Saltonstall,  Rosewell,  30. 

Sandford,  Ezekiel,  30. 

Sandford,  Mary,  9. 

Saybrook  Platform,  39,  76,  131. 

Scalps,  reward  for,  130,  131. 

School  House  Meetings,  86,  90,  93,  94, 
95,  96,  97,  98,  99,  loo,  101,  102,  et 
seq. 

Separate  Meetings,  laws  against,  87;  im- 
prisonment for  holding,  89;  discipline 
for  attending,  no,  in,  113. 

Sergeant,  Rev.  John,  33,  42,  64,  79. 

Sewall,  Rev.  Joseph,  91. 

Seymour,  Daniel,  31. 

Seymour,  Moses,  34. 

Seymour,  Richard,  60,  in. 

Seymour,  Capt.  Thomas,  53,  54. 

Seymour,  Thomas,  84. 

Sheldon,  Deacon,  125,  132. 

Sheldon,  Elizabeth,  129. 

Sheldon,  John,  129. 

Shepard,  Abagail,  135. 

Shepard,  Eunice,  115. 

Shepard,  Huldah,  133. 

Shepard,  James,  108,  no,  in,  127,  131. 

Shepard,  James,  Jr.,  131. 

Shepard,  John,  115,  133. 

Shepard,  Joseph,  126. 


Shepard,  Joseph,  Jr.,  135. 

Shepard,  Levi,  108. 

Shepard,  Rachel,  in. 

Shepard,  Timothy,  126. 

Shepard,  Timothy,  Jr.,  126. 

Shepherd,  Aaron,  35. 

Shepherd,  Amos,  30. 

Shepherd,  Bethia,  97. 

Shepherd,  Hannah,  62. 

Shepherd,  James,  44,  76. 

Shepherd,  John,   19,  26,  27,  35,  57,  60. 

Shepherd,  John,  Jr.,  19. 

Shepherd,  Joseph,  27. 

Shepherd,  Joseph,  Jr.,  79,  89. 

Shepherd,  Lucy,  76. 

Shepherd,  Moses,  89. 

Shepherd,  Samuel,  97. 

Shepherd,  Sarah,  62. 

Shepherd,  Rev.  Thomas,  69. 

Sherwin,  John,  65. 

"  Sir,"  meaning  of  title,  42. 

Skinner,  Daniel,  92,  102,  125. 

Skinner,  Danl.,  Jr.,  125. 

Skinner,  Dorothy,  62,  66. 

Skinner,  Elizabeth,  90. 

Skinner,  Hannah,  62. 

Skinner,  Jerusha,  102. 

Skinner,  John,  90,  106,  125. 

Skinner,  Jonathan,  131. 

Skinner,  Joseph,  61. 

Skinner,  Joseph,  Jr.,  22. 

Skinner,  Mary,  135. 

Skinner,  Nathaniel,  125. 

Sloan,  Mr.,  35,  36,  48,  51. 

Smith,  Elizabeth,  79. 

Smith,  Ephraim,  33. 

Smith,  Rev.  Josiah,   55. 

Smith,  Mr.,  104. 

Smith,  Nehemiah,  79. 

Snake  in  the  Grass,  The,  88. 

Southington  Church  difficulties,  96,  108. 

Southington  Presbyterians,  39. 

Spain,  hostilities  with,  31,  41,  46,  49,  67. 

Spencer,  Caleb,  53,  76,  124. 

Spencer,  Daniel,  54,  108,  127. 

Spencer,  Elizabeth,  122. 

Spencer,  Isabel,  58. 

Spencer,  Jerusha,  54. 

Spencer,  John,  31. 


INDEX 


147 


Spencer,  John,  Jr.,  122,  125. 

Spencer,  Martha,  123. 

Spencer,  Obadiah,  Sr. ,  71. 

Spencer,  Obadiah,  108. 

Spencer,  Ruth,  95,  127. 

Spencer,  Sarah,  18,  82. 

Spencer,  Susannah,  74. 

Spencer,  Timethy,  53,  76,  124. 

Spots  in  the  Sun,  38. 

Spotswood,  Col.,  49,  52. 

Spy,  The  Turkish,  33. 

Stafford  church  difficulties,    15,  47,  48, 

51;  ordination  of  Mr.  Colton,  117. 
Stanley,  Abigail,  54. 
Stanley,  Colonel,  90,  113,  114. 
Stanley,  Nathaniel,  8,  17,  25,  54. 
Steel,  Daniel,  34. 
Steel,  Roswell,  34. 
Steel,  Stephen,  104. 
Steel,  Rev.  Stephen,   14,  25,  48,  75,  81, 

97,  99,  105,  no,  113,  120. 
Steel,  Widow,  54. 
Stiles,  Rev.  Isaac,  83;  Election  Sermon, 

97- 

Stillman,  Ebenezer,  38. 
Stoddard,  Rev.  Solomon,  15. 
Strong,  Rev.  Nathan,  39. 
Strong,  Return,  108. 
Sun  spots,  38. 
Swett,  Benjamin,  18. 
Swett,  Elizabeth,  18. 
Swift,  Rowland,  31. 
Sylvester,  Field,  51. 
Synod,  The  last  Connecticut,  75,  76. 

Talcott,  Abigail,  6. 

Talcott,  Daniel,  116. 

Talcott,  Elizabeth,  61,  78,  134. 

Talcott,  Eunice,  17,  43. 

Talcott,  Madam  Eunice,  6,  24,  25,  26, 

43- 

Talcott,  Helena,  22. 
Talcott,  Jerusha,  14,  17,  118. 
Talcott,  James,  125,  127. 
Talcott,  Capt.  John,  116. 
Talcott,   Gov.   Joseph,   6,    8,    14,     15; 

death  of  wife,  24,  25;  28,  37,  43;  died 

73,  74- 
Talcott,  Joseph,  Jr.,  16,  38,  122,  129. 


Talcott,  Joseph,  3d,   16. 

Talcott,  Matthew,  26,  38,  45,  52. 

Talcott,  Nathan,  28,  29. 

Talcott,   Samuel,   37,   47,   61,   78,    107, 

125,  127,  133,  134. 
Talcott,  Samuel,  Jr.,  47. 
Talcott,  William,  107. 
Taylor,  Rev.  John,  of  England,  109. 
Taylor,  Rev.  John,  of  Milton,  132. 
Tennent,  Rev.  Gilbert,  78,  87,  92. 
Testimony  against  revivalistic  errors,  70, 

85,  120. 

Testimony  against  Whitefield,  120. 
Thanksgiving  Days,   16,  32,  44,  57,  75, 

93,  106,  118,  125,    127,  135. 
Throat  Distemper,  31,  40,  41. 
Tilley,  John,  69. 
Townshend,  Mr.,  116. 
Tracy,  Joseph,  24. 
Trumble,  Jonathan,  50. 
Trumbull,  Dr.  J.  H.,  37. 
Tudor,  Rev.  Samuel,  58. 
Turner,  Abigail,  82,  131. 
Turner,  a  big  child,  24. 
Turner,  John,  82. 
Turner,  John,  Jr.,  46. 
Turner,  Mary,  46. 
Turner,  Rachel,  115. 
Turner,  Stephen,  97,  99,  115,  131. 
Turner,  Susannah,  99. 
Tyley,  Sarah,  131. 
Tyley,  William,  I3iv 

Umpacheene,  Lieutenant,  64. 

Vernon,  Admiral,  48,  60,  62,  65. 
Vote,  of  minors  and  negroes,  100. 

Wadsworth,  Abigail,  wife  of  Rev.  Daniel, 

6. 
Wadsworth,  Abigail,  daughter  of   Rev. 

Daniel,  6,  59,  95. 
Wadsworth,  Abigail,  78. 
Wadsworth,  Ann,  of  Long  buckby,  37. 
Wadsworth,  Rev.  Benjamin,  10. 
Wadsworth,  Betty,  22. 
Wadsworth,  Rev.  Daniel,  Sketch  of,  4-6; 

begins  his  Diary,   7  ;    on  Arbitration 

between  Farmington  and  Wethersfield, 


148 


INDEX 


1 1 ;  preached  last  time  in  old  meeting 
house,  II ;  .his  timidity,  19;  his  list  of 
books  to  be  purchased,  20;  dread  of 
fire,  21,  22,  23;  death  of  his  mother 
Talcott,  24,  25,  26 ;  purchased  the 
Catlin  property,  32;  reckoned  number 
of  baptisms,  32;  visit  to  Southold,  42, 
43;  at  New  Hartford  ordination,  45; 
Dedication  Sermon,  45  ;  reading 
Whitefield's  life,  58;  his  journal,  63  ; 
Alarmed  by  dissensions  in  his  parish, 
64,  74,  77,  82,  87,  89,  93,  94,  96,  97, 
no;  birth  of  son,  Daniel,  67;  preaches 
on  religious  zeal,  69;  opinion  of  the 
revivals,  72;  birth  of  son,  Jeremiah, 
101 ;  subscribes  for  Chauncey's  book, 
104;  signs  testimony  against  White- 
field,  1 20 ;  birth  of  daughter  Ruth, 
132;  makes  his  will,  134;  taken  ill, 
135;  died,  137. 

Wadsworth,  Daniel,  Jr.,  6,  67. 

Wadsworth,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Daniel,  6,  26,  52. 

Wadsworth,  Elizabeth,  60. 

Wadsworth,  Eunice,  6,  12,  53. 

Wadsworth,  Rev.  Field  Sylvester,  51. 

Wadsworth,  Hezekiah,  34,  53,  54,  55. 

Wadsworth,  Ichabod,  36. 

Wadsworth,  James,  8,  15,  22,  23,  46, 
52,  56,  58,  77,  92,  93,  97,  106, 
no,  117,  126. 

Wadsworth,  Jeremiah,  6,  101. 

Wadsworth,  Jerusha,  25. 

Wadsworth,  John,  48. 

Wadsworth,  John,  of  Northampton, 
Eng.,  37. 

Wadsworth,  Jonathan,  40. 

Wadsworth,  Joseph,  128. 

Wadsworth,  Joseph,  Jr.,  no,  in,  128, 
130. 

Wadsworth,  Joseph,  3d,  130. 

Wadsworth,  Mary,  18,  36. 

Wadsworth,  Ruth,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Daniel,  6,  132. 

Wadsworth,  Ruth,  sister  of  Rev.  Daniel, 
17,  48,  115. 

Wadsworth,  Samuel,  126. 

Wadsworth,  Thomas,  9,  17,  32,  36,  53, 
58,  75,  88. 


Wadsworth,  Thomas,  130. 

Wadsworth,  Thomas  of  Long  buckby, 
37,  57,  58,  135- 

Wadsworth,  Timothy,  128. 

Wadsworth,  Widow,  43. 

Wadsworth,  William,  5,  49,  no. 

Wakeman,  Rev.  Jabez,  6,  24. 

Walpole,  Sir  Robert,  82. 

Ward,  Lieutenant,  70. 

Ward,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  18. 

Warren,  Admiral  Peter,  126. 

Waters,  Mrs.,  95. 

Watts,  Dr.  Isaac,  79;  his  psalms,  92. 

Webb,  Orange,  died,  30. 

Webster,  David,  114,  117. 

Webster,  Rev.  Elisha,  42,  50,  99,  120. 

Webster,  Robert,  115. 

Webster,  Widow,  134. 

Welles,  Ebenezer,  18. 

Welles,  Hannah,  100. 

Welles,  Mary,  78. 

Welles,  Rev.  Noah,  105,  113,  118,  124, 
126. 

Welles,  Samuel,  82. 

Welles,  Thomas,  78. 

Welles,  Thomas,  Jr.,  43,  100. 

Welles,  Timothy,  43. 

Welsted,  Mr.,  43,  45. 

Wesley,  Rev.  John,  109. 

West  Hartford,  Church  troubles,  90. 

West  Indies,  Expedition,  53. 

Wethersfield  and  Farmington  Arbitra- 
tion, ii. 

Wethersfield  ordination,  35. 

Wheelock,  Rev.  Eleazer,  63,  72,  90. 

White,  Rev.  Silvanus,  28. 

White,  Rev.  Thomas,  notice  of,  13;  14, 
44,  48,  51,  53,  68,  88,  95,  97,  99,  103, 

III,  119,  I2O. 

Whitefield,  Rev.  George,  46,  50,  52;  in 
Hartford,  55;  preached,  56;  57,  87, 
120,  131. 

Whiting,  Anna,  54. 

Whiting,  Jerusha,  92. 

Whiting,  Rev.  John,  54. 

Whiting,  John,  104. 

Whiting,  Joseph,  8,  25,  130. 

Whitman,  Rev.  Elnathan,  of  Hartford, 
5,  notice  of,  9;  13,  23,  25,  26;  at  Har- 


INDEX 


149 


winton ordination,  30;  32, 34,  35,38,40; 
at  New  Hartford  ordination,  44;  45, 
49,  53;  married,  54;  58,  59,  60,  61,  62, 
63,  67,  68,  71,  72,  74,  78,  81,  86,  92, 
94,  96,  98,  99,  loo,  101,  103;  sub- 
scribes for  Chauncey's  book,  104;  107, 
no,  in,  112,  114,  115,  116, 119,  120, 
122,  124,  125,  128,  130,  131,  132, 

135,  136,  137- 

Whitman,  Rev.  Samuel,  of  Farmington, 
5,  notice  of,  14;  possession  of  Hart- 
ford, Church  Record,  20;  21,  25,  at 
Harwinton  ordination,  30 ;  at  New 
Hartford  ordination,  45;  55,  60,  68; 
69,  7o,  71;  on  Gov.  Talcott,  74;  75, 
76,  104,  116,  120. 

Whittlesey,  Rev.  Chauncey,  29,  86. 

Whittlesey,  Rev.  Samuel,  112,  120. 

Wicar,  Goody,  12. 

Wilks,  Francis,  37. 

Williams,  Rev.  Elisha,  29,  42. 

Williams,  Rev.  Mr.,  133,   136. 

Williams,  Mr.,  48. 

Williams,  Samuel,  29. 

Williams,  Rev.  Solomon,  65,  90. 

Williamson,  Anne,  81,  92,  93,  102,  136. 

Williamson,  Caleb,  17,  33. 

Williamson,  Ebenezer,  79,  80,   136. 

Windsor,  Church  troubles,  37,  39,  50. 

Wintonbery,  ordination  at,  20. 

Wobbin,  Indian,  18. 

Wobbin,  Margaret,  18. 

Wolcott,  Roger,  Lieut.-Gov.,  8,  24,  no- 
tice of,  83;  113,  121,  124,  125. 

Wood,  sledding  for  Mr.  Wadsworth,  20, 
46,  59- 


Woodbridge,  Madam  Abigail,  n,  12, 
32,  61,  104. 

Woodbridge,  Rev.  Ashbel,  25,  35,  69, 
132. 

Woodbridge,  Rev.  John,  16,  17,  53,  58. 

Woodbridge,  Rev.  Samuel  of  East  Hart- 
ford, 6,  notice  of,  14;  27,  33,  46,  51, 
6r,  67,  69,  70,  71,  80,  82;  difficulties 
in  his  parish,  85,  86;  87,  89,  91,  92, 
94;  scandalous  letter  to,  97;  99,  101, 
102,  103,  105,  109,  112, 115, 118,  119, 
120,  122,  125,  128;  death,  132. 

Woodbridge,  Theodore,  69. 

Woodbridge,  Rev.  Timothy  of  Hartford, 
5,  n,  15,  18,  44. 

Woodbridge,  Rev.  Timothy  of  Hatfield, 

53,  93- 

Woodbridge,  Rev.  Timothy  of  Sims- 
bury,  48,  90. 

Wbodbridge,  Mr.,  76. 

Woodbridge,  Rev.  Mr.,  124. 

Worthington,  Rev.  William,  71,  78,  81, 
112. 

Wyllys,  Capt.  George,  34,  46,  115. 

Wyllys,  George,  80. 

Wyllys,  Capt.  Hezekiah,  77. 

Wyllys,  Mary,  80. 

Wyllys,  Mehitable,  37. 

Wyllys,  Samuel,  34. 

Wyllys,  William,  115. 

Yale  College,  new  charter,  123. 
Youngs,  Hannah,  .36. 
Youngs,  Joseph,  33. 
Youngs,  Seth,  32,  33,  90. 

Zinzendorf,  Count,  78. 


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